The French Senate adopts the Gremillet bill for energy transition

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.

Share:

The French Senate adopted in the second reading, by 221 votes to 24, the bill on national programming and normative simplification in the energy sector. This bill, presented by Daniel Gremillet, Dominique Estrosi Sassone, and several of their colleagues, is designed to support France’s energy transition, in the context of the absence of a five-year energy programming law. This law was to be adopted before July 1, 2023, according to the forecasts of the “Energy-Climate” law of 2019.

The text aligns with European objectives to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and aims to promote the decarbonization of energy production and consumption, with a focus on nuclear power, hydroelectricity, and bioenergy. One of the priorities of this proposal is to strengthen the French nuclear sector by maintaining the nuclear mix at least two-thirds by 2030 and mostly by 2050.

Specific goals for the energy sector

The objectives of the text are particularly detailed for key sectors. Regarding nuclear power, the law provides for the creation of 27 gigawatts (GW) of new nuclear capacity by 2050, including 14 EPR2 reactors and one small modular reactor (SMR) by 2030. A potential for six additional reactors could be added in the event of reindustrialization.

For renewable energies, ambitious goals are set, including the addition of 50 GW of photovoltaic capacity and 29 GW of hydroelectricity by 2035. The hydrogen sector is also a focus, with a target of 6.5 GW by 2030. Regarding energy renovation, the law plans for 900,000 renovations per year from 2030 onwards, supported by the MaPrimeRénov’ program.

Modifications made in the second reading

In the second reading, the Senate decided to refocus the text on its programmatic component while retaining key measures regarding the simplification of standards for nuclear projects. The text also maintains consumer protection measures.

In response to concerns raised by the National Assembly, the Senate integrated some modifications regarding renewable energies, notably maintaining the set objectives while addressing the issues raised. Concerning onshore wind projects, a moratorium proposed by the National Assembly was dismissed, although the Senate maintained a more flexible approach, encouraging the renewal of existing installations rather than the construction of new ones.

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.
French greenhouse gas emissions are expected to rise by 0.2% in the first quarter of 2025, indicating a global slowdown in reductions forecast for the full year, according to Citepa, an independent organisation responsible for national monitoring.
The Republican budget bill passed by the U.S. Senate accelerates the phase-out of tax credits for renewable energies, favoring fossil fuels and raising economic concerns among solar and wind industry professionals.
Rapid growth in solar and wind capacities will lead to a significant rise in electricity curtailment in Brazil, as existing transmission infrastructure remains inadequate to handle this massive influx of energy, according to a recent study by consulting firm Wood Mackenzie.
In April 2025, fossil fuels represented 49.5% of South Korea's electricity mix, dropping below the symbolic threshold of 50% for the first time, primarily due to a historic decline in coal-generated electricity production.
The US Senate Finance Committee modifies the '45Z' tax credit to standardize the tax treatment of renewable fuels, thereby encouraging advanced biofuel production starting October 2025.
According to the 2025 report on global energy access, despite notable progress in renewable energy, insufficient targeted financing continues to hinder electricity and clean cooking access, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa.
While advanced economies maintain global energy leadership, China and the United States have significantly progressed in the security and sustainability of their energy systems, according to the World Economic Forum's annual report.
On the sidelines of the US–Africa summit in Luanda, Algiers and Luanda consolidate their energy collaboration to better exploit their oil, gas, and mining potential, targeting a common strategy in regional and international markets.
The UK's Climate Change Committee is urging the government to quickly reduce electricity costs to facilitate the adoption of heat pumps and electric vehicles, judged too slow to achieve the set climate targets.
The European Commission will extend until the end of 2030 an expanded state-aid framework, allowing capitals to fund low-carbon technologies and nuclear power to preserve competitiveness against China and the United States.
Japan's grid operator forecasts an energy shortfall of up to 89 GW by 2050 due to rising demand from semiconductor manufacturing, electric vehicles, and artificial intelligence technologies.
Energy-intensive European industries will be eligible for temporary state aid to mitigate high electricity prices, according to a new regulatory framework proposed by the European Commission under the "Clean Industrial Deal."
Mauritius seeks international investors to swiftly build a floating power plant of around 100 MW, aiming to secure the national energy supply by January 2026 and address current production shortfalls.
Madrid announces immediate energy storage measures while Lisbon secures its electrical grid, responding to the historic outage that affected the entire Iberian Peninsula in late April.
Indonesia has unveiled its new national energy plan, projecting an increase of 69.5 GW in electricity capacity over ten years, largely funded by independent producers, to address rapidly rising domestic demand.
French Minister Agnès Pannier-Runacher condemns the parliamentary moratorium on new renewable energy installations, warning of the potential loss of 150,000 industrial jobs and increased energy dependence on foreign countries.
The European battery regulation, fully effective from August 18, significantly alters industrial requirements related to electric cars and bicycles, imposing strict rules on recycling, supply chains, and transparency for companies.