Commission advocates for a decision on providing a loan for a new terminal's construction.
In a stunning turn of events, energy debates in France's National Assembly turned electric on June 19, 2022. Surprisingly, lawmakers approved a moratorium on new wind and photovoltaic installations, going against the government's stance. This unexpected move was prompted by LR deputy Jérôme Nury's amendment, supported by the right and far right despite the absence of the left and center groups.
During the tense discussions, political figures from PS, ecologist, and LFI spoke up against this vote and demanded the withdrawal of the text. However, Industry Minister Marc Ferracci (Renaissance) countered their pleas, insisting on carrying the examination to its conclusion. The debates were expected to continue on the following day if they weren't completed by the previous night.
A vote on this bill is scheduled for June 24, 2022, with several Insoumis deputies questioning whether their Macronist counterparts would approve the text during the vote. If so, the measure might be rescinded during the subsequent deliberation, as the text must return for a second reading in the Senate on July 8 and 9.
Before the final adoption of the text, the government promised to publish France's new energy roadmap for the 2025-2035 period before the summer's end, primarily focusing on nuclear power.
Jean-Philippe Tanguy, National Rally deputy, expressed disappointment over the parliamentary democracy bypassing following the vote. Earlier, the National Rally had already secured a victory with the approval for the restart of the Fessenheim nuclear power plant, first closed in 2020.
On June 19, 2022, Antoine Armand, rapporteur of the text, rejected the demand for withdrawal but criticized the introduction of the moratorium as a "catastrophic economic and industrial" step, which also set back France's climate ambitions. The country is currently far behind its renewable energy objectives set by the European Union.
Critics accused the government of prioritizing nuclear power over renewable electricity, citing a destructive move impacting around 80,000 jobs. The Renewable Energy Union expressed concern over the direction of the text, labeling an amendment after the vote as "argued with false elements."
Though initially greeted with trepidation, the moratorium seems to be merely a transitory hurdle, as France's renewable energy policy has pivoted toward rapid expansion alongside its nuclear sector. By 2035, the government aims to increase offshore wind capacity to 45 GW, scale solar capacity to between 65 and 90 GW, and develop 8 GW of green hydrogen electrolysis capacity. This ambitious plan indicates a significant push to grow renewable infrastructure with substantial investment and regulatory support.
As of mid-2025, clean energy output in France has reached six-year highs, with nearly 95% of electricity generated from clean sources. Despite some recent declines in wind and hydrogeneration, solar production has achieved new records, offsetting the setbacks. As nuclear energy still dominates, providing around 70% of electricity, renewables together with hydro now contribute approximately 30% of the generating capacity.
Despite France's dedication to nuclear power, the country remains involved in the European Union's initiatives to raise renewable targets, acknowledging nuclear's importance as a carbon reduction tool. This dual strategy unifies nuclear and renewables as complementary pillars supporting France's energy sovereignty and decarbonization goals.
- The unexpected move by lawmakers to impose a moratorium on new wind and photovoltaic installations in France has raised concerns within the realm of environmental science, particularly in relation to the country's climate-change agenda.
- The renewable energy industry in France might face temporary challenges due to the moratorium, but recent developments suggest a long-term focus on rapid expansion of renewable energy infrastructure by 2035.
- The ongoing debates about energy policy and legislation in France's National Assembly have sparked interest in the general news, with the finance sector keeping a close eye on the potential impact of these decisions on the energy industry.
- As politics plays a significant role in shaping France's energy landscape, the approval of the moratorium has sparked debates among political figures from different parties, with some criticizing the move as a step backward for the country's renewable energy objectives.
- The future of France's energy sector is underscored by a dual strategy aiming to balance nuclear power with the growth of renewable energy, a strategy that aligns with the country's commitment to energy sovereignty, decarbonization, and Europe's renewable targets.
