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.
en_114029281228540

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.
en_114023221239540

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.
en_114023221234540

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.
en_114021201235540

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.
en_114018191239540

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.
en_114018191233540

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.

BayWa r.e. sells 46 MW floating solar project in the Netherlands

BayWa r.e. has finalised the sale of a 46 MW floating solar park, the country’s largest, to a Dutch public-local consortium, marking a new step in the decentralised structuring of the solar market in the Netherlands.

Velto Renewables and Q ENERGY launch 9 MWc solar park in partnership in Aude

The La Gineste park, jointly developed by Q ENERGY and Velto Renewables, has a capacity of 9 MWc and marks a strengthening of the business partnership between the two companies in the Occitanie region.

France adjusts offshore wind contracts to avoid losses during negative pricing

The contracts for the offshore wind farms of Fécamp, Saint-Nazaire and Saint-Brieuc have been amended to allow production shutdowns when electricity prices fall below zero on the market.

France and Poland align on investment priorities in electricity networks

Paris and Warsaw held a bilateral workshop in Warsaw to strengthen coordination on electricity infrastructure investments and supply security under the Nancy Treaty.
en_1140290943540-19

Europe Faces Critical Stagnation in Climate and Environmental Investments

Despite the proclaimed urgency, European climate investments stagnate around €500 billion per year, far from the estimated needs of nearly €850 billion. New financial instruments are attempting to revive an indispensable momentum.

EDF and KOWEPO win 1.5-GW Al Zarraf solar project in Abu Dhabi

EDF and Korea Western Power signed an agreement to develop a 1.5-GW solar power plant in Abu Dhabi, following a tender for which sixteen entities had been prequalified.

HDF Energy signs two agreements in Indonesia for green hydrogen projects

HDF Energy signed two protocols with Indonesian public partners to support the financing and deployment of 23 green hydrogen power plants during Emmanuel Macron’s state visit to Jakarta.
en_1140290954540-3

Aegis Vopak Terminals goes public in Mumbai with €2.7bn valuation

Royal Vopak’s Indian joint venture rose nearly 3% on its first trading day in Mumbai, reaching an implied valuation of €2.7bn ($2.93bn).

EDF blocks Czech nuclear contract with KHNP on legal grounds

EDF is challenging the legality of the nuclear contract awarded to KHNP, citing potential South Korean state support in violation of EU rules, leading to a temporary suspension of the Dukovany II project.

Iran targeted by resolution plan after secret nuclear activities revealed

The International Atomic Energy Agency revealed that Iran conducted undeclared nuclear activities at three sites, which could lead to a non-compliance resolution by mid-June.
en_1140290960540

TotalEnergies and RGE secure key licence to export 1 GW of electricity to Singapore

Singa Renewables receives Singaporean approval to import Indonesian solar electricity, marking a strategic step forward in a regional project led by TotalEnergies and RGE.

Solveo Energies deploys dynamic agrivoltaic system on apricot orchard

Solveo Energies has inaugurated an experimental agrivoltaic system in the Pyrénées-Orientales, combining solar power production and crop protection on a farm facing drought conditions.

North Atlantic in talks to acquire Esso’s Gravenchon refinery

North Atlantic has entered exclusive negotiations to acquire the Gravenchon refinery, France’s second-largest, from ExxonMobil in a deal reshaping the industrial landscape of the Seine Valley.
en_1140290950540-16

EDF invests in a nuclear plant at Cordemais after coal phase-out

EDF plans a new nuclear pipework factory at Cordemais by 2028, confirming the end of coal-fired power in France and the site's industrial conversion.

Shell strengthens position in Nigeria by acquiring TotalEnergies’ stake in Bonga

TotalEnergies sells its 12.5% stake in the offshore Bonga oil field to Shell for $510mn, raising the British group's share to 67.5% in the OML 118 block off the Nigerian coast.

TotalEnergies, Sonangol and Maurel & Prom launch 35 MWp solar plant in Angola

The Quilemba Solar joint venture is building a photovoltaic power plant near Lubango, marking a milestone for private initiative in Angola's electricity sector.
en_1140290954540-14

ExxonMobil enters exclusive talks to sell its stake in Esso S.A.F.

ExxonMobil plans to sell its 82.89% stake in Esso S.A.F. to North Atlantic France, valuing shares based on €1.49bn cash holdings and a price subject to several adjustments.

RTE targets hosting a strategic submarine cable factory worth 10 billion euros

RTE is preparing to host a major submarine cable factory in France, aimed at offshore wind interconnections, an industrial project estimated at 10 billion euros, pending future national energy planning.

South Korea Strongly Challenges Czech Nuclear Contract Suspension with KHNP

The suspension of the nuclear contract between KHNP and the Czech Republic has triggered intense reactions in South Korea, where the company and authorities express dissatisfaction with European legal and regulatory obstacles.
en_1140290950540-14

Indonesia Bets on 10 GW Nuclear to Transform its Energy Mix

Facing growing energy demands, Indonesia has announced an ambitious nuclear program targeting 10 GW capacity by 2040, attracting interest from global industry giants to support this strategic shift towards a low-carbon economy.

VALOREM deploys 27 MW wind farm in Greece and plans 515 MW of new projects

French group VALOREM has inaugurated a 27 MW wind farm in Kozani and plans 515 MW of additional projects in Greece, reinforcing its investment strategy in the local market.