popular articles

Nuclear financing: French savings in demand

Using French Livret A passbooks to finance new nuclear reactors? An idea put forward by Caisse des Dépôts that is the subject of much debate.
Epargne Français financement nucléaire

Please share:

Caisse des Dépôts (CDC) suggests using French people’s savings, particularly those accumulated in Livrets A passbook savings accounts, to finance new nuclear power plants, according to CEO Eric Lombard. This proposal is part of a government program to build six EPR reactors, with a total investment estimated at 51.7 billion euros. Lombard asserts that this move would be “logical” to contribute to the decarbonization of the French economy, a priority aligned with national environmental objectives.

Financial impact on French savings

Mr. Lombard specifies that financing a third of the nuclear program with French savings would represent “a few billion euros a year”, an amount that would be “entirely absorbable” by funds currently deposited in Livrets A and Livrets de développement durable et solidaire (LDDS). The latter collectively attracted nearly €40 billion in deposits last year, totaling €571.5 billion at the end of February. At the same time, the management of these funds is divided between CDC, which controls 59.5%, mainly for social housing, and the banks, with 40.5% earmarked mainly for loans to SMEs. This breakdown highlights the versatility of French people’s savings, which are already invested in key sectors of the economy.

In addition to nuclear power, CDC also plays a role in the financing of the arms industry, as a shareholder in major companies in the sector. This involvement raises questions about the potential earmarking of regulated savings for the defense industry, an idea that has not found favor with Bercy. Indeed, French Economy Minister Bruno Le Maire has introduced the concept of a European savings product designed to “finance our defense effort”. An initiative that would not be disconnected from environmental objectives, according to Mr. Lombard, who asserted that “national defense is also the defense of our democracy and our environmental trajectory”.

Register free of charge for uninterrupted access.

Publicite

Recently published in

French electricity exports generated a record €5 billion in 2024, driven by increased volumes despite falling market prices. Italy, Germany, and Belgium are among the main importers.
France’s electricity exports generated €5 billion in 2024, an unprecedented level driven by increased volumes despite declining market prices. Italy, Germany, and Belgium were among the main importers.
France’s electricity exports generated €5 billion in 2024, an unprecedented level driven by increased volumes despite declining market prices. Italy, Germany, and Belgium were among the main importers.
Engie announces an exceptional increase of €50 for energy vouchers benefiting eligible customers and doubles its contribution to the Housing Solidarity Fund (FSL). This measure comes as rising electricity taxes impact consumers.
Engie announces an exceptional increase of €50 for energy vouchers benefiting eligible customers and doubles its contribution to the Housing Solidarity Fund (FSL). This measure comes as rising electricity taxes impact consumers.
La Lituanie, la Lettonie et l'Estonie vont couper leurs derniers liens avec le réseau électrique russe. Ce basculement, prévu le 8 février, marque leur intégration complète au réseau européen après des années de préparation et d'investissements.
La Lituanie, la Lettonie et l'Estonie vont couper leurs derniers liens avec le réseau électrique russe. Ce basculement, prévu le 8 février, marque leur intégration complète au réseau européen après des années de préparation et d'investissements.
Indonesia must manage ambitious climate commitments while maintaining energy stability. The Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP), aimed at mobilizing $20 billion, faces financial obstacles and uncertainties regarding international funding.
The recent changes in U.S. tariff policies could affect the global energy industry, particularly trade in key products such as natural gas and renewable energy equipment.
The recent changes in U.S. tariff policies could affect the global energy industry, particularly trade in key products such as natural gas and renewable energy equipment.
The Vietnamese government is adjusting its timeline for the implementation of its carbon market. Initially planned for 2028, the official launch will now take place in 2029 after a three-year pilot phase. This delay aims to strengthen the regulatory and technical framework.
The Vietnamese government is adjusting its timeline for the implementation of its carbon market. Initially planned for 2028, the official launch will now take place in 2029 after a three-year pilot phase. This delay aims to strengthen the regulatory and technical framework.
The European Union launches an emergency consultation with automakers to accelerate the transition to electrification in response to current competitive and regulatory challenges.
The European Union launches an emergency consultation with automakers to accelerate the transition to electrification in response to current competitive and regulatory challenges.
The BloombergNEF 2024 report reveals a historic record of global investments in the low-carbon energy transition, driven by electrified transport, renewable energy, and power grids.
The High Council for Climate (HCC) presents six conditions for the energy transition. The opinion outlines areas to strengthen, particularly regarding budget mobilization and planning for the phase-out of fossil fuels.
The High Council for Climate (HCC) presents six conditions for the energy transition. The opinion outlines areas to strengthen, particularly regarding budget mobilization and planning for the phase-out of fossil fuels.
At the heart of the vast northern expanses, Sami communities see their ancestral ways of life challenged by the rise of renewable projects. A factual narrative revealing the tensions between economic modernization and the preservation of millennia-old traditions.
At the heart of the vast northern expanses, Sami communities see their ancestral ways of life challenged by the rise of renewable projects. A factual narrative revealing the tensions between economic modernization and the preservation of millennia-old traditions.
The 15% tariff reduction affects over 24 million subscribers in France, with disparities depending on regulated and market offers, amid fluctuations in energy costs, taxes, and transmission fees.
The 15% tariff reduction affects over 24 million subscribers in France, with disparities depending on regulated and market offers, amid fluctuations in energy costs, taxes, and transmission fees.
Myanmar faces recurrent power outages linked to civil conflict and outdated infrastructure, affecting daily life and economic activities.
The Greenfin label, launched in 2013, is being updated to better match European requirements, particularly in sustainable finance and climate objectives. The revisions published on January 29, 2025, strengthen its alignment with the green taxonomy and European standards.
The Greenfin label, launched in 2013, is being updated to better match European requirements, particularly in sustainable finance and climate objectives. The revisions published on January 29, 2025, strengthen its alignment with the green taxonomy and European standards.
The US Senate has approved the nomination of Lee Zeldin to lead the EPA. The choice made by Donald Trump has been praised by fossil fuel industry players but criticized by environmental NGOs.
The US Senate has approved the nomination of Lee Zeldin to lead the EPA. The choice made by Donald Trump has been praised by fossil fuel industry players but criticized by environmental NGOs.
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.
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.
The Norwegian Sovereign Fund posted a historic return of 214 billion euros in 2024, driven by investments in major tech companies. However, the dominance of these giants is now being questioned.
In response to geopolitical and economic challenges, the European Union is realigning its energy policy to enhance its competitiveness. Regulatory simplifications and efforts to secure energy supplies are at the heart of the new strategy, while maintaining environmental commitments.
In response to geopolitical and economic challenges, the European Union is realigning its energy policy to enhance its competitiveness. Regulatory simplifications and efforts to secure energy supplies are at the heart of the new strategy, while maintaining environmental commitments.
The Constitutional Council censored a retroactive measure aimed at modifying contracts between EDF and renewable energy producers, citing a disproportionate infringement on contractual rights.
The Constitutional Council censored a retroactive measure aimed at modifying contracts between EDF and renewable energy producers, citing a disproportionate infringement on contractual rights.
The Zambia-Tanzania Interconnector (ZTIP) project, backed by international financing, aims to strengthen electrical exchanges between Zambia and Tanzania, with major implications for energy integration in sub-Saharan Africa.
The Zambia-Tanzania Interconnector (ZTIP) project, backed by international financing, aims to strengthen electrical exchanges between Zambia and Tanzania, with major implications for energy integration in sub-Saharan Africa.
The U.S. Department of Energy grants Pacific Gas and Electric a loan to modernize infrastructure, integrate more renewables, and improve grid reliability.
As the United States considers another withdrawal from the Paris Agreement, major economic powers organize to maintain leadership in a rapidly transforming energy sector.
As the United States considers another withdrawal from the Paris Agreement, major economic powers organize to maintain leadership in a rapidly transforming energy sector.
Zhecho Stankov, Bulgaria's new Minister of Energy, emphasizes energy security and supply diversification while aligning with European goals for sustainable transition.
Zhecho Stankov, Bulgaria's new Minister of Energy, emphasizes energy security and supply diversification while aligning with European goals for sustainable transition.
The Indonesian government’s plan to convert 20 million hectares of forests for food and energy sparks criticism from NGOs, which warn of irreversible environmental consequences.
The Indonesian government’s plan to convert 20 million hectares of forests for food and energy sparks criticism from NGOs, which warn of irreversible environmental consequences.

Advertising