France: Adoption of a law for the “nationalization” of EDF

After the French National Assembly adopted on first reading, on Thursday, a socialist text that provides for the "nationalization" of EDF without the risk of "dismantling", this controversial measure is causing mixed reactions and remains subject to confirmation by the Senate.

Share:

Comprehensive energy news coverage, updated nonstop

Annual subscription

8.25€/month*

*billed annually at 99€/year for the first year then 149,00€/year ​

Unlimited access • Archives included • Professional invoice

OTHER ACCESS OPTIONS

Monthly subscription

Unlimited access • Archives included

5.2€/month*
then 14.90€ per month thereafter

FREE ACCOUNT

3 articles offered per month

FREE

*Prices are excluding VAT, which may vary depending on your location or professional status

Since 2021: 35,000 articles • 150+ analyses per week

The French National Assembly adopted Thursday in first reading, a socialist text that provides for the “nationalization” of EDF without risk of “dismantling”, but also a tariff shield extended to artisans, including bakers.

 

Adoption of a socialist text for the “nationalization” of EDF

The text adopted by 205 votes to 1, with the support of all the oppositions, represents a significant victory for the socialists. This text will now have to be studied by the Senate.

The measure passed with an amendment adding that lost revenue collected by electricity providers will not be compensated by the state “by waiver” in the 2023 budget.

The session was marked by points of order and interruptions, with opposition MPs accusing the majority of “obstruction” and MPs from the presidential camp protesting the retention of the article for the extent of the tariff shield.

 

Opposition united against the presidential camp

The “nationalization” of EDF, although the government has already launched a takeover bid to acquire 100% of the electricity giant’s capital, has provoked negative reactions from the government. Minister Roland Lescure considered this bill “useless” and feared that it posed “a risk to the operation underway” and “at best a setback”.

However, part of the opposition suspects that the executive has not really given up on “Hercules”, a controversial project to restructure EDF that involves the separation of nuclear, hydroelectric and renewable activities.

The text therefore plans to set the operator’s activities in stone, which means that Bercy will no longer have a free hand and that the future of EDF will now be discussed before the National Assembly.

However, the measure was adopted despite protests from the presidential camp, which considers the extension of the tariff shield to more beneficiaries, including artisanal bakers, contrary to the Constitution.

 

In conclusion, this decision has given rise to mixed reactions and it remains to be seen how the Senate will approach this text and what its consequences will be for the future of EDF.

Oil major ExxonMobil is challenging two California laws requiring disclosure of greenhouse gas emissions and climate risks, arguing that the mandates violate freedom of speech.
The European Court of Human Rights ruled that Norway’s deferral of a climate impact assessment did not breach procedural safeguards under the Convention, upholding the country’s 2016 oil licensing decisions.
Singapore strengthens its energy strategy through public investments in nuclear, regional electricity interconnections and gas infrastructure to secure its long-term supply.
As oil production declines, Gabon is relying on regulatory reforms and large-scale investments to build a new growth framework focused on local transformation and industrialisation.
Cameroon will adopt a customs exemption on industrial equipment related to biofuels starting in 2026, as part of its new energy strategy aimed at regulating a still underdeveloped sector.
Facing a persistent fuel shortage and depleted foreign reserves, the Bolivian parliament has passed an exceptional law allowing private actors to import gasoline, diesel and LPG tax-free for three months.
Ghana aims to secure $16 billion in oil revenues over ten years, but the continued drop in production raises doubts about the sector’s long-term stability.
The government of Kinshasa has signed a memorandum of understanding with Vietnam's Vingroup to develop a 6,300-hectare urban project and modernise mobility through an electric transport network.
ERCOT’s grid adapts to record electricity consumption by relying on the growth of solar, wind and battery storage to maintain system stability.
The French government will raise the energy savings certificate budget by 27% in 2026, leveraging more private funds to support thermal renovation and electric mobility.
Facing opposition criticism, Monique Barbut asserts that France’s energy sovereignty relies on a strategy combining civil nuclear power and renewable energy.
The European Commission is reviving efforts to abolish daylight saving time, supported by several member states, as the energy savings from the practice are now considered negligible.
Rising responses to UNEP’s satellite alerts trigger measurement, reporting and verification clauses; the European Union sets import milestones, Japan strengthens liquefied natural gas traceability; operators and steelmakers adjust budgets and contracts.
The Finance Committee has adopted an amendment to overhaul electricity pricing by removing the planned redistribution mechanism and capping producers' profit margins.
The European Commission unveils a seven-point action plan aimed at lowering energy costs, targeting energy-intensive industries and households facing persistently high utility bills.
The European Commission plans to keep energy at the heart of its 2026 agenda, with several structural reforms targeting market security, governance and simplification.
The new Liberal Democratic Party (LDP)–Japan Innovation Party (Nippon Ishin no Kai) axis combines a nuclear restart, targeted fuel tax cuts and energy subsidies, with immediate effects on prices and risk reallocations for operators. —
German authorities have ruled out market abuse by major power producers during sharp price increases caused by low renewable output in late 2024.
A new International Energy Agency report urges Maputo to accelerate energy investment to ensure universal electricity access and support its emerging industry.
Increased reliance on combined-cycle plants after the April 28 blackout pushed gas use for electricity up by about 37%, bringing total demand to 267.6 TWh and strengthening flows to France.

All the latest energy news, all the time

Annual subscription

8.25€/month*

*billed annually at 99€/year for the first year then 149,00€/year ​

Unlimited access - Archives included - Pro invoice

Monthly subscription

Unlimited access • Archives included

5.2€/month*
then 14.90€ per month thereafter

*Prices shown are exclusive of VAT, which may vary according to your location or professional status.

Since 2021: 30,000 articles - +150 analyses/week.