France cuts green energy target, major shift to restart nuclear power

France's energy policy and strategic planning has undergone a major shift. The Multiannual Energy Plan (PPE) will be transformed from a decree to a legislative procedure and is expected to be passed soon.

 

The new regulations abandon the previously set 40% renewable energy power target and propose a comprehensive development path of "low-carbon energy". It also clearly restarts the nuclear power development strategy and plans to build 14 new reactor units.

 

In terms of specific planning indicators, the photovoltaic target has been adjusted to 50GW installed capacity in 2030, which is lower than the 54-60GW target proposed in 2023. The new regulations also canceled the annual plan roadmap and changed the legal expression from "reducing" greenhouse gas emissions to "committing to reducing", which actually reduced the policy constraints and turned it into a means commitment rather than a result target.

 

Marine Le Pen, leader of the French National Rally, has clearly expressed her opposition to the large-scale development of wind and solar projects. The Renewable Energy Industry Association is concerned about the revision of regulations, believing that the energy policy shift is mainly driven by political factors, and France's renewable energy investment and planning and construction face a new uncertainty environment.