France

Orano secures USD900mn for uranium enrichment plant in the United States

French group Orano receives USD900mn in public support to establish a new uranium enrichment facility in Tennessee, as part of a broader US nuclear sector revival plan.

Technip Energies secures strategic order for Commonwealth LNG gas project

Technip Energies has received a key order linked to the Commonwealth LNG project in the United States, marking a decisive step ahead of the final investment decision expected in early 2026.

Voltalia starts construction of 200 MW hybrid complex in Uzbekistan

Voltalia has launched the first phase of the Artemisya project in Uzbekistan, a hybrid complex combining wind power and energy storage for a total of 200 megawatts, with commissioning scheduled for 2027.
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Technip Energies completes acquisition of Ecovyst’s catalysts business for $530mn

Ecovyst has divested its Advanced Materials & Catalysts segment to Technip Energies, generating $530mn in net proceeds and reducing debt while refocusing on strategic priorities.

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.
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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.

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.
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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.

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.
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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.

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.
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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.

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.
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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.

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.

Axian investit $670mn dans un projet hydroélectrique stratégique à Madagascar

Le groupe Axian renforce son portefeuille énergétique avec le projet de barrage de Volobe à Madagascar, une initiative estimée à $670mn visant à étendre l’accès à l’électricité dans un pays en proie à de fortes tensions sociales.

France: SNCF signs two 25-year solar contracts with Octopus and BayWa r.e.

SNCF Voyageurs secures direct solar electricity supply from two plants owned by Octopus Energy and BayWa r.e., through 25-year agreements aimed at powering its rail network.

Dacia unveils €15,000 electric city car to challenge Chinese brands

Dacia presents an ultra-compact electric prototype priced under €15,000, betting on extreme simplification to compete with low-cost Chinese electric vehicles.
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Veolia and TotalEnergies sign agreement to optimise industrial resources

Veolia and TotalEnergies formalise a strategic partnership focused on water management, methane emission reduction and industrial waste recovery, without direct financial transaction.

Neoen secures four new long-term solar PPAs with SNCF Énergie

SNCF Énergie signed four new renewable electricity purchase agreements with Neoen in July, covering the annual consumption equivalent of the TGV Paris–Bordeaux line.

GOCO2 commits €2.5bn to industrial CO2 capture and transport in Western France

The GOCO2 project enters public consultation with six industrial players united around a 375 km network aiming to capture, transport and export 2.2 million tonnes of CO2 per year starting in 2031.
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RWE commissions 4 MWp solar park on former landfill site in Charente-Maritime

RWE has inaugurated a 4 megawatt-peak solar park in Charente-Maritime, built on a former municipal landfill site and capable of supplying electricity to approximately 1,500 households.

TotalEnergies sells 35% of Danish Bifrost project to CarbonVault, a SCHWENK subsidiary

TotalEnergies reduced its stake in the Bifrost CO2 storage project in Denmark, bringing in CarbonVault as an industrial partner and future client of the offshore site located in the North Sea.

TotalEnergies exits three mature fields in Norway’s Ekofisk area

TotalEnergies EP Norge signed two agreements to divest its non-operated interests in three inactive Norwegian fields, pending an investment decision expected in 2025.
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ROAD TRHYP project targets 40% cut in hydrogen transport costs

Driven by Air Liquide and SEGULA Technologies, the ROAD TRHYP project aims to lower hydrogen transport costs and improve safety through a series of technical innovations by 2030.

Dutch parliament approves RED III, reassuring biofuels market participants

The Netherlands' lower house voted to adopt RED III, including technical amendments, paving the way for timely transposition by January 1, 2026, in line with EU commitments.

Technip Energies secures two major contracts for Ecoplanta methanol plant in Spain

Technip Energies has secured two engineering contracts from Repsol for an innovative waste-to-methanol facility in Tarragona, Spain, marking a strategic milestone in its partnership with Enerkem.
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Qair secures €55mn for Hyd’Occ and strengthens its position in hydrogen in France

Qair obtains structured bank financing of €55mn for its Hyd’Occ ecosystem, integrating renewable hydrogen production and distribution in Occitanie, with commissioning scheduled before the end of 2025.

North Atlantic takes key step toward acquiring Esso S.A.F.

North Atlantic and ExxonMobil have signed an agreement for the sale of ExxonMobil’s stake in Esso S.A.F., a transaction subject to regulatory approvals and financing agreements to be finalised by the end of 2025.

ITER control building completed after five years of construction

ITER and its partner Demathieu Bard have completed the control building of the fusion reactor in Cadarache, marking a key step in the site’s technical management as preparations for future operational phases continue.
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Framatome launches dedicated line for military nuclear propulsion in Jeumont

Framatome and the French Alternative Energies and Atomic Energy Commission have commissioned a specialised industrial line in Jeumont for the manufacturing of nuclear components used in French Navy vessels.

Orano, Navoiyuran and ITOCHU launch uranium mining at South Djengeldi site

The Nurlikum Mining joint venture enters a new industrial phase with the launch of the South Djengeldi project, targeting annual production of 500 tonnes of uranium over ten years in Uzbekistan.

France: The Senate wants to include dam reform in the energy planning bill

The Senate's economic affairs committee recommends including the reform of the legal framework for dams in the upcoming energy bill to avoid competitive tendering, following a principle agreement between Paris and Brussels.
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French Academy of Sciences warns of economic risks linked to solar geoengineering

The French Academy of Sciences calls for a global ban on solar radiation modification, citing major risks to climate stability and the world economy.

CVE invests €19.7mn in its first methanisation unit in Occitanie

Energy producer CVE Biogaz launches a facility in Tarn capable of processing 21,500 tonnes of biowaste per year to produce biomethane injected into the local gas network.