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.

Shanghai Electric commissions Manah-1 solar plant in Oman with 500 MW

The Manah-1 solar project in Oman, with a capacity of 500 MW, was delivered by Shanghai Electric and has recorded a stable first month of operation, strengthening industrial and technical cooperation with Électricité de France.

MARA invests $168mn to acquire 64% stake in EDF’s subsidiary Exaion

MARA strengthens its presence in digital infrastructure by acquiring a majority stake in Exaion, a French provider of secure high-performance cloud services backed by EDF Pulse Ventures.

Melvan secures €4.26mn for three photovoltaic projects in France

Melvan obtains €4.26mn in bank financing to develop three solar power plants totalling 3.9 MWp, with construction scheduled to start in the second half of 2025.
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International Petroleum buys back 98,900 shares under its 2025 programme

International Petroleum Corporation repurchased 98,900 common shares between August 4 and 8, 2025, as part of its ongoing share buyback programme.

Vantage Drilling completes sale of Tungsten Explorer to joint venture with TotalEnergies

Vantage Drilling has sold the Tungsten Explorer drilling vessel to a joint venture with TotalEnergies, while retaining its operational management for a minimum period of ten years.

Gravelines’ six reactors shut down after massive jellyfish invasion

The Gravelines nuclear power plant, the largest in Western Europe, halted all production after its cooling systems were obstructed by an unexpected influx of jellyfish. EDF plans a gradual restart in the coming days.
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Entech signs €5mn contract for storage system in Loire-Atlantique

Entech will deliver a 20 MWh battery storage system in Loire-Atlantique under an agreement that includes a twenty-year maintenance contract.

IAEA Dispatches Envoy to Tehran to Negotiate New Nuclear Framework

A senior official from the UN agency begins technical discussions with Iran on Monday, the first meeting since June strikes on Iranian nuclear sites.

Boralex reports a decline in EBITDA in Q2 despite increased production

Boralex saw its earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization fall by 13% in the second quarter of 2025, despite a 14% increase in production, due to less favourable prices in France and lower revenues from joint ventures.
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Mozambique: TotalEnergies Faces Security Dilemma Before LNG Project Restart

Jihadist attacks in Cabo Delgado displaced 59,000 people in July, threatening the restart of the $20 billion gas project planned for August 2025.

Surveys for Kazakhstan’s first nuclear power plant enter active phase

Field studies to determine the location of Kazakhstan’s first nuclear power plant have begun near the village of Ulken, marking a key stage in a project led by Rosatom.

Wood Mackenzie: Tesla remains global leader in battery storage as Sungrow closes the gap in 2024

Tesla retains the top position in the global battery storage market, but Sungrow moves within one point, revealing intensifying rivalries and a rapid reshaping of regional dynamics in 2024.
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ConocoPhillips raises asset disposals to $5 bn and adjusts its financial strategy

ConocoPhillips targets $5 bn in asset disposals by 2026 and announces new financial adjustments as production rises but profit declines in the second quarter of 2025.

TotalEnergies sells two strategic Vaca Muerta blocks to YPF for USD 500 mn

TotalEnergies completed the sale of its 45% stake in two unconventional hydrocarbon concessions to YPF in Argentina for USD 500 mn, marking a key milestone in the management of its portfolio in South America.

France struggles to integrate biofuels into its energy decarbonisation strategy

The national strategy grants limited space to biofuels and biocombustibles, despite their immediate potential to reduce emissions, putting the sector in difficulty as it calls for a clear regulatory framework and stronger institutional support.
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Iberdrola receives the final Windar monopiles for its Windanker offshore wind farm

The last monopiles manufactured by Navantia Seanergies and Windar Renovables have been delivered to Iberdrola for the Windanker offshore project, marking a major milestone for the European XXL offshore wind component manufacturing industry.

VINCI secures a €1.2bn industrial contract for a biorefinery in Spain

VINCI, through its subsidiaries, has established itself in the construction of Spain’s largest second-generation biorefinery, a €1.2bn project aimed at supplying 500,000 tonnes of sustainable fuels per year.

HYLENR raises $3 mn to accelerate commercialisation of its industrial LENR reactors

Start-up HYLENR finalises a strategic $3 mn fundraising to move from pilot phase to industrialisation of its low-energy nuclear reaction systems for industrial heat production.
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France secures EUR 11bn for three floating wind farms with European approval

France receives approval from the European Commission for a major public financing of EUR 11bn aimed at three floating wind projects totalling 1.5 GW, with a framework strengthening the national industry.

TotalEnergies and RWE launch the 15 MW Vilpion wind farm in Aisne

The new Vilpion onshore wind farm, led by TotalEnergies and RWE in Aisne, has a capacity of 15 megawatts and marks a milestone for the renewable energy industry in France.