France

Second natural hydrogen exploration permit granted to TBH2 Aquitaine

The French government has issued an exclusive mining exploration permit to TBH2 Aquitaine to explore natural hydrogen in the Pyrénées-Atlantiques, bringing the young company’s total number of authorisations to two.

Nigerien junta rejects French accusations over uranium disappearance

Niger’s military regime disputes theft allegations by French prosecutors after uranium stock vanished from a nationalised site previously operated by Orano.

Gardanne biomass power plant restarts despite criticism over subsidies

After ten years of transition, the Provence thermal power plant now runs on biomass, but its economic model and forest impact continue to raise serious concerns.
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BayWa r.e. sells 2.2 GW of projects and prepares for independence by 2028

BayWa r.e. continues its strategic transformation with the sale of 2.2 GW of projects, a withdrawal from Asian markets, internal reorganisation, and a rebranding planned for 2026.

France scraps Arenh and promises stable electricity prices through 2027

A new pricing framework will apply from January 2026 in France, replacing the Arenh mechanism. The state says the reform will not lead to higher bills for most consumers.

Nexans sells Autoelectric to Motherson for €207mn, completing its strategic shift

French group Nexans initiates the sale of its Autoelectric subsidiary to India’s Motherson for €207mn ($227mn), marking its full exit from non-electrification activities.
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Davidson Kempner and Fortress take control of Bourbon to relaunch growth

Bourbon enters a new strategic phase following the arrival of Davidson Kempner and Fortress, who have become majority shareholders after a financial restructuring approved by the French courts.

France: electricity bills to remain stable in 2026 despite the end of Arenh

The Ministry of the Economy forecasts stable regulated tariffs in 2026 and 2027 for 19.75 million households, despite the removal of the Arenh mechanism and the implementation of a new tariff framework.

French Electricity Union releases 50 measures to electrify the national economy

The federation of the electricity sector proposes a comprehensive plan to reduce dependence on fossil fuels by replacing their use in transport, industry and housing with locally produced electricity.
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Lhyfe expects EUR10mn revenue in 2025 and cuts costs from 2026

Lhyfe aims to double its revenue next year, refocuses industrial priorities and plans a 30% cost reduction starting in 2026 to accelerate profitability.

The French government asks RTE to maintain the THT line project to Fos

The government confirms the continuation of the high-voltage line construction to Fos-Berre, despite criticism from the public debate and local tensions regarding environmental and economic impacts.

Mundi Énergies launches twenty renewable energy hubs in Canada with Haffner Energy

Mundi Énergies partners with Haffner Energy to create a network of twenty multi-energy hubs in Quebec, using residual biomass to produce renewable gas and strengthen Canada’s energy independence.
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Newcleo launches European safeguards process for lead-cooled modular reactor

French nuclear reactor developer Newcleo has submitted its lead-cooled small modular reactor design to Euratom, initiating the first regulatory phase to integrate nuclear non-proliferation safeguards at the European level.

EDF raises cost estimate for six new nuclear reactors to €72.8 billion

French state utility EDF has increased the maximum estimated cost for building six new nuclear reactors to €72.8 billion ($85.29 billion), representing a 40% rise over the original figure.

France postpones publication of energy roadmap to 2026

The government has postponed the release of the new Multiannual Energy Programme to early 2026, delayed by political tensions over the balance between nuclear and renewables.
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France: the Council of State bans coalbed methane exploitation in Lorraine

The Council of State has cancelled the authorisation to exploit coalbed methane in Lorraine, citing risks to the region's main aquifer and bringing an end to a legal battle that began over a decade ago.

Technique Solaire secures €40mn junior debt to support 392 MWp in projects

Technique Solaire has secured €40mn ($43.5mn) in junior debt from BNP Paribas Asset Management to structure two solar portfolios totalling 392 MWp across France, Spain and the Netherlands.

Neoen wins 124 MWp in solar projects in latest French government tender

Independent power producer Neoen has secured six agrivoltaic projects totalling 124 MWp, reinforcing its position as the leading winner in French solar tenders since 2021.
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TOPCon 4.0 vs HJT: the financial trade-off in the solar sector in 2026

As the photovoltaic industry enters a phase of deep restructuring, the duel between TOPCon 4.0 and heterojunction technologies is redefining manufacturers’ margins. In 2026, reducing production costs becomes the primary strategic lever for global market leaders.

Dalkia wins €15bn contract to manage Paris heating network until 2050

The Paris Council awards a €15bn, 25-year contract to Dalkia, a subsidiary of EDF, to operate the capital’s heating network, replacing long-time operator Engie amid political tensions ahead of municipal elections.

Zefiro completes carbon credit delivery to EDF Trading for 92,956 tonnes of CO2

Zefiro Methane Corp. completed the delivery of carbon credits to EDF Trading, validating a pre-sale agreement and marking its first revenues from the voluntary carbon market.

Lhyfe begins green hydrogen deliveries in the Netherlands for the GROHW project

Lhyfe has started supplying Essent with renewable green hydrogen under a multi-year contract, marking a major commercial debut in the Netherlands for the French producer.

Teréga and GRDF deploy new biomethane backfeed station in Moncrabeau

Teréga and GRDF have commissioned a backfeed station in Lot-et-Garonne, showcasing their cooperation to adapt gas networks to the rise of locally produced biomethane in Nouvelle-Aquitaine.
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Tenergie begins construction of 5.14 MWp solar plant in Cabrières d’Avignon

French developer Tenergie has started work on a ground-mounted solar plant at a former quarry, with expected annual output of 7.6 GWh from 2026.

France: RTE launches public debate on €100 billion for the power grid

France opens a national consultation on RTE’s plan to invest €100 billion by 2040 to modernise the high-voltage electricity transmission grid.

SPIE secures strategic contract for TPC II offshore wind farm in Taiwan

SPIE Wind Connect will carry out subsea connections for phase II of the TPC project, a major development in Taiwan’s offshore wind sector with a projected annual capacity of 1,000 GWh.
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RWE secures €551mn for 100 MW electrolyser in Eemshaven

The Dutch government grants major funding to RWE to develop an offshore wind-powered electrolysis facility, marking a key step in the OranjeWind project.

France: Verso Energy commissions a 580 kWc agrivoltaic plant in Outarville

Verso Energy has inaugurated an experimental solar power plant in Outarville, testing the integration of photovoltaic panels across three hectares of large-scale crops with a 90% self-consumption rate.

GazelEnergie to develop a 300 MW data center at its Saint-Avold site

GazelEnergie plans to build a data center at its coal-fired plant in Saint-Avold, with commissioning expected in 2028 and a capacity of 300 MW.
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EDF extends two nuclear reactors in the United Kingdom until March 2028

EDF extends the operation of Heysham 1 and Hartlepool by one year after favourable safety inspections, ensuring continuity of nuclear production and safeguarding more than 1,000 jobs.

Brazil requests full membership in the International Energy Agency

Brasília has officially begun the process of joining the International Energy Agency, strengthening its strategic position on the global energy stage after years of close cooperation with the Paris-based organisation.

TotalEnergies secures two new offshore permits in the West Delta basin

TotalEnergies has signed a production sharing agreement with South Atlantic Petroleum for two offshore exploration permits in Nigeria, covering a 2,000 square kilometre area with significant geological potential.
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French energy regulator corrects ten public claims on costs and production

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.

In France, four citizen-funded wind turbines inject 12.9 MW into the Breton grid

In France, a 12.9 MW wind farm financed by local actors has been commissioned in Martigné-Ferchaud, showcasing an unprecedented model of shared governance between citizens, local authorities and public investment companies.

Virya Energy launches 7,001 m² solar plant in Toulouse with Tisséo

Virya Energy invests EUR2mn in a photovoltaic plant at the Oncopole park-and-ride in Toulouse, marking a 30-year partnership with Tisséo to strengthen the city’s energy self-consumption.
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RWE activates 83 megawatts of wind and solar capacity in France

German group RWE has commissioned five new power plants in France, adding 83 MW to its portfolio, following repeated successes in tenders organised by the Energy Regulatory Commission.

India accelerates its nuclear program to join the global top 5

With eleven reactors under construction and major projects such as Jaitapur, India is preparing a nuclear build-up that could place it among the world’s five leading nations in the sector.

Paris and Berlin agree on an energy roadmap including nuclear power

France and Germany have validated a joint energy roadmap, including a commitment to the non-discrimination of nuclear energy in European financing.
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Political crisis in France: energy roadmap threatened by new delay

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.

Putin and Pezeshkian to discuss Iranian nuclear program under European pressure

Russia and Iran seek to strengthen their nuclear cooperation as the E3 activates the sanctions mechanism against Tehran, reigniting tensions over compliance with the 2015 Vienna agreement.