France: The CEO of Ademe defends its effectiveness in the face of criticism over its cost

Sylvain Waserman, CEO of Ademe, reaffirmed the importance of the ecological transition agency during his testimony before the Committee on Sustainable Development, highlighting its key role in reducing France’s energy dependence.

Share:

Gain full professional access to energynews.pro from 4.90$/month.
Designed for decision-makers, with no long-term commitment.

Over 30,000 articles published since 2021.
150 new market analyses every week to decode global energy trends.

Monthly Digital PRO PASS

Immediate Access
4.90$/month*

No commitment – cancel anytime, activation in 2 minutes.

*Special launch offer: 1st month at the indicated price, then 14.90 $/month, no long-term commitment.

Annual Digital PRO Pass

Full Annual Access
99$/year*

To access all of energynews.pro without any limits

*Introductory annual price for year one, automatically renewed at 149.00 $/year from the second year.

The CEO of the Agency for Ecological Transition (Ademe), Sylvain Waserman, spoke before the Committee on Sustainable Development in the French National Assembly to address the growing criticism regarding the agency’s cost and effectiveness. In response to harsh attacks from right-wing political figures, including the President of the Île-de-France Regional Council, Valérie Pécresse, and the President of the Senate, Gérard Larcher, Waserman emphasized the importance of Ademe’s missions and the relevance of its investments.

The Ademe Budget and its Role in Energy Sovereignty

Ademe manages a budget of 3.4 billion euros, a figure that has raised concerns. According to the CEO, 92% of this budget is allocated to co-financing projects for businesses and local authorities, aiming to address climate challenges while contributing to France’s energy sovereignty. “These projects not only have an environmental impact but also a significant financial benefit by reducing dependence on fossil fuels, particularly in terms of natural gas,” he stated.

The Heat Fund and the Savings Generated

A significant portion of the funds is directed toward the Heat Fund, which finances projects using renewable energy sources to produce heating or cooling. Over the past ten years, this fund has invested over 4.3 billion euros of public money, thus contributing to reducing the trade deficit linked to natural gas imports. The CEO estimated that for every euro invested, between 1 and 4 billion euros of natural gas imports are saved annually.

Criticism and the CEO’s Response

However, the agency faces criticism regarding the management of these funds. Opponents, such as Jean-Pierre Taite, a member of the French Republicans (LR), have raised concerns about the effectiveness and coherence of Ademe’s actions. In response, Waserman emphasized the agency’s efficiency, stating that it operates with great sobriety. He highlighted that he does not use a company car and that Ademe has achieved a “155% productivity gain” over four years, increasing its budget from 800 million euros in 2020 to 3.4 billion euros in 2024 with a team of 1,300 people.

A “Useful” Budget and Strong Demand for the Heat Fund

For the CEO, these results demonstrate Ademe’s effectiveness in managing public funds and achieving its objectives. He also mentioned the high demand from businesses and local authorities for the Heat Fund, which exceeds the allocated budget by twice as much, proving that the money invested is “useful” and “well spent.” These arguments were presented to justify the need to maintain funding and continue investing in the energy transition, despite the criticism over costs.

Coal India issues tenders to develop 5 GW of renewable capacity, split between solar and wind, as part of its long-term energy strategy.
US utilities anticipate a rapid increase in high-intensity loads, targeting 147 GW of new capacity by 2035, with a strategic shift toward deregulated markets.
France opens a national consultation on RTE’s plan to invest €100 billion by 2040 to modernise the high-voltage electricity transmission grid.
Governor Gavin Newsom orders state agencies to fast-track clean energy projects to capture Inflation Reduction Act credits before deadlines expire.
Germany’s energy transition could cost up to €5.4tn ($6.3tn) by 2049, according to the main industry organisation, raising concerns over national competitiveness.
Facing blackouts imposed by the authorities, small businesses in Iran record mounting losses amid drought, fuel shortages and pressure on the national power grid.
Russian group T Plus plans to stabilise its electricity output at 57.6 TWh in 2025, despite a decline recorded in the first half of the year, according to Chief Executive Officer Pavel Snikkars.
In France, the Commission de régulation de l’énergie issues a clarification on ten statements shared over the summer, correcting several figures regarding tariffs, production and investments in the electricity sector.
A group of 85 researchers challenges the scientific validity of the climate report released by the US Department of Energy, citing partial methods and the absence of independent peer review.
Five energy infrastructure projects have been added to the list of cross-border renewable projects, making them eligible for financial support under the CEF Energy programme.
The Tanzanian government launches a national consultation to accelerate the rollout of compressed natural gas, mobilising public and private financing to secure energy supply and lower fuel costs.
The Kuwaiti government has invited three international consortia to submit bids for the first phase of the Al Khairan project, combining power generation and desalination.
Nigeria’s state-owned oil company abandons plans to sell the Port Harcourt refinery and confirms a maintenance programme despite high operating costs.
The publication of the Multiannual Energy Programme decree, awaited for two years, is compromised by internal political tensions, jeopardising strategic investments in nuclear and renewables.
The US Energy Information Administration reschedules or cancels several publications, affecting the availability of critical data for oil, gas and renewables markets.
Brazilian authorities have launched a large-scale operation targeting a money laundering system linked to the fuel sector, involving investment funds, fintechs, and more than 1,000 service stations across the country.
A national study by the Davies Group reveals widespread American support for the simultaneous development of both renewable and fossil energy sources, with strong approval for natural gas and solar energy.
The South Korean government compels ten petrochemical groups to cut up to 3.7 million tons of naphtha cracking per year, tying financial and tax support to swift and documented restructuring measures.
The U.S. Department of Energy has extended until November the emergency measures aimed at ensuring the stability of Puerto Rico’s power grid against overload risks and recurring outages.
Under threat of increased U.S. tariffs, New Delhi is accelerating its energy independence strategy to reduce reliance on imports, particularly Russian oil.

Log in to read this article

You'll also have access to a selection of our best content.