The French-German Conflict over Nuclear Power and Green Hydrogen

Nuclear and Green Hydrogen, an Energy Duel between France and Germany.

Share:

France-Allemagne

The French-German dispute over nuclear power reflects the profound differences between the two nations on energy policy. France recently reiterated its call for nuclear power to be recognized as a low-carbon means of producing hydrogen. He thus exposed himself to a new confrontation with Germany over the role of atomic energy.

The Energy Challenges of Green Hydrogen

There’s no doubt that the development of the green hydrogen market is an essential pillar in achieving the European Union’s ambitious climate goals. However, a crucial issue is currently dividing two of Europe’s major powers: France and Germany. This dispute concerns the role of nuclear power in the production of low-carbon hydrogen.

Call from France

France’s ambassador to Germany, François Delattre, stressed the importance of ensuring equal treatment for renewable and low-carbon hydrogen. He asserted that progress must be made in this area, while calling for joint mobilization to achieve it. Nuclear power is at the heart of this controversy, directly influencing decisions taken in Brussels concerning the “green” energy policies currently being drawn up.

The H2Med Project

Mr. Delattre expressed these views at the Berlin presentation of the H2Med project, an ambitious undersea pipeline to bring hydrogen from the Iberian Peninsula to the rest of Europe. The project is billed as “the first green hydrogen corridor to Germany”, underlining the importance of hydrogen in Europe’s energy transition.

Past compromises

The Franco-German dispute over nuclear power in Europe’s energy plans has led to some compromises in the past, notably on the reform of the European electricity market and the renewable energies directive. However, other crucial texts are still under discussion, notably the “gas package”, which will shape the hydrogen market, a cornerstone of the EU’s climate objectives.

Closing Germany’s Atomic Power Plants

Nuclear power plays a central role in the French energy model, while Germany closed its last atomic power plants this year. In January, Germany joined the H2Med project, which involves the construction of a major undersea pipeline linking the port of Barcelona in northeast Spain to that of Marseille in France. The pipeline is due to be completed by 2030, and will make a significant contribution to the European Union’s estimated hydrogen needs.

International Support for the H2Med Project

Franziska Brantner, State Secretary at the German Ministry of Economic Affairs, highlighted the challenges encountered in moving the project forward, but expressed optimism that it was heading in the right direction. French operators GRTgaz and Teréga, Spain’s Enagás, Portugal’s REN, and German gas transmission system operator OGE have officially joined the H2Med project, underlining the international nature of this initiative.

The Impact of Conflict Resolution

In a Europe resolutely committed to energy transition, the debate between France and Germany on nuclear power and green hydrogen is of the utmost importance. How this controversy is resolved will significantly influence the continent’s energy trajectory and its impact on climate objectives. It is essential that the two nations work together to find solutions for a cleaner, sustainable energy future for Europe.

Nearly USD92bn will be invested by major American and international groups in new data centres and energy infrastructure, responding to the surge in electricity demand linked to the rise of artificial intelligence.
Nouakchott has endured lengthy power interruptions for several weeks, highlighting the financial and technical limits of the Mauritanian Electricity Company as Mauritania aims to widen access and green its mix by 2030.
Between 2015 and 2024, four multilateral climate funds committed nearly eight bn USD to clean energy, attracting private capital through concessional terms while Africa and Asia absorbed more than half of the volume.
The Global Energy Policies Hub shows that strategic reserves, gas obligations, cybersecurity and critical-mineral policies are expanding rapidly, lifting oil coverage to 98 % of world imports.
According to a report by Ember, the Chinese government’s appliance trade-in campaign could double residential air-conditioner efficiency gains in 2025 and trim up to USD943mn from household electricity spending this year.
Washington is examining sectoral taxes on polysilicon and drones, two supply chains dominated by China, after triggering Section 232 to measure industrial dependency risks.
The 2025-2034 development plan presented by Terna includes strengthening Sicily’s grid, new interconnections, and major projects to support the region’s growing renewable energy capacity.
Terna and NPC Ukrenergo have concluded a three-year partnership in Rome aimed at strengthening the integration of the Ukrainian grid into the pan-European system, with an in-depth exchange of technological and regulatory expertise.
GE Vernova has secured a major contract to modernise the Kühmoos substation in Germany, enhancing grid reliability and integration capacity for power flows between Germany, France and Switzerland.
The National Energy System Operator forecasts electricity demand to rise to 785 TWh by 2050, underlining the need to modernise grids and integrate more clean energy to support the UK’s energy transition.
Terna has signed a guarantee agreement with SACE and the European Investment Bank to finance the Adriatic Link project, totalling approximately €1bn ($1.08bn) and validated as a major transaction under Italian regulations.
India unveils a series of reforms on oil and gas contracts, introducing a fiscal stability clause to enhance the sector’s attractiveness for foreign companies and boost its growth ambitions in upstream energy.
The European Commission is launching a special fund of EUR2.3bn ($2.5bn) to boost Ukraine’s reconstruction and attract private capital to the energy and infrastructure sectors.
Asia dominated global new renewable energy capacity in 2024 with 71% of installations, while Africa recorded limited growth of only 7.2%, according to the latest annual report from IRENA.
US President Donald Trump's One Big Beautiful Bill Act dramatically changes energy investment rules, imposing restrictions on renewables while favouring hydrocarbons, according to a recent report by consultancy firm Wood Mackenzie.
On July 8, 2025, the Senate validated the Gremillet bill, aimed at structuring France's energy transition with clear objectives for nuclear power, renewable energies, and energy renovation.
Brazil, Mexico, Argentina, Colombia, Chile, and Peru significantly increase renewable electricity production, reaching nearly 70% of the regional electricity mix, according to a recent Wood Mackenzie study on Latin America's energy sector.
The Canadian government announces an investment of more than $40mn to fund 13 energy projects led by Indigenous communities across the country, aiming to improve energy efficiency and increase local renewable energy use.
The German Ministry of Economy plans to significantly expand aid aimed at reducing industrial electricity costs, increasing eligible companies from 350 to 2,200, at an estimated cost of €4bn ($4.7bn).
A major electricity blackout paralyzed large parts of the Czech Republic, interrupting transport and essential networks, raising immediate economic concerns, and highlighting the vulnerability of energy infrastructures to unforeseen technical incidents.