- The energy plan has removed a previous commitment to stop building fossil fuel-fired power plants but plans to convert the last two coal-fired plants to gas.
- The new targets aim for 65-90GW of solar capacity by 2035, down from the previous 75-100GW.
France’s long-term energy strategy is taking a pragmatic turn as the government revises its 10-year energy plan (PPE3) to accommodate evolving energy security concerns.
While maintaining its commitment to phasing out coal, the latest version of the plan softens its stance on fossil fuel power generation, prioritising energy reliability over a complete transition to decarbonised energy.
The plan, now in its final public consultation stage, has removed a previous commitment to stop building fossil fuel-fired power plants. This shift signals a more flexible approach to managing France’s energy transition.
This comes alongside a new bill that allows the country’s last two coal-fired plants to be converted to gas rather than being shut down, a move welcomed by local industry players and regional lawmakers.
France still plans to close its remaining coal-fired power plants by 2027, reinforcing its commitment to reducing greenhouse gas emissions. However, the earlier pledge to develop only fully decarbonised thermal power plants has been watered down.
Instead of mandating the development of 100% decarbonised thermal power, the plan now merely commits to “helping” operators explore lower-emission alternatives.
The government’s support for gas conversion over outright plant closures reflects a growing acknowledgement of the need for backup power sources to ensure grid stability.
With France’s nuclear fleet undergoing maintenance cycles and renewable energy projects facing deployment challenges, policymakers are positioning natural gas as a more practical interim solution.
The revised plan also scales back France’s solar energy ambitions, citing the dominant role of nuclear power in the country’s energy mix. The new targets aim for 65-90GW of solar capacity by 2035, down from the previous 75-100GW.
To achieve this, France will hold two annual tenders of 1GW each for ground-mounted solar and three tenders of 300MW each for rooftop solar, with possible adjustments based on subsidy structures. A 500MW technology-neutral tender will also be conducted annually, though solar projects have dominated past rounds.
Despite industry calls for dedicated tenders for agrivoltaic projects (solar panels integrated with agriculture), the government has not confirmed a separate tender process but may allocate capacity within existing solar targets.
For onshore wind, the new roadmap sticks to two tenders per year of 900MW each, keeping wind energy deployment stable at approximately 1.5GW per year.
Is France’s Revisions to its Energy Plan a Setback in Climate Commitments?
While critics may view the changes as a step back from France’s previous climate commitments, the government defends the revisions as a necessary balance between emissions reduction and maintaining a stable power supply.
France’s electricity is already among the cleanest in Europe, thanks to its reliance on nuclear and renewable energy. However, policymakers argue that fossil fuel-fired plants—especially converted gas units—will be crucial in managing demand spikes and ensuring grid resilience.
The adjustments reflect real-world constraints in France’s energy transition, particularly regarding infrastructure readiness, economic viability, and geopolitical energy risks.
With global uncertainties surrounding energy markets, France’s approach signals a shift toward energy pragmatism, ensuring that decarbonisation efforts do not compromise national energy security.
As the public consultation period nears completion, the revised PPE3 plan is expected to shape France’s energy landscape for the next decade—one that prioritises energy resilience while gradually advancing toward a low-carbon future.