⚡️🏛️ France unveils energy strategy for 2035 with nuclear focus

Oneliner

On 12 February 2026, France's government unveiled its Multiannual Energy Programme (PPE) for 2025–2035, emphasizing a revival of nuclear energy while scaling back targets for solar and onshore wind. The plan aims to reduce fossil fuel consumption from 60% to 40% by 2030 and includes the construction of six new nuclear reactors. Political reactions have been mixed, with right-wing leaders criticizing the focus on nuclear, while some left-wing politicians welcomed the guidance for the renewable sector. The PPE will be published in the Journal officiel, setting the framework for France's energy policy over the next decade.

Key points

• The new Multiannual Energy Programme (PPE) prioritizes nuclear energy over renewables.
• Targets for solar and onshore wind energy have been reduced due to stagnant electricity demand.
• The government aims to cut fossil fuel consumption from 60% to 40% by 2030.
• Six new nuclear reactors are planned, marking a significant shift from previous policies.

Links

• Le Figaro: La lettre du Figaro du 12 février 2026
• BFMTV: Après 3 ans d'attente, le gouvernement dévoile enfin sa stratégie énergétique d'ici 2035... Et s'attire les foudres de Bruno Retailleau et Marine Le Pen
• Europa Press: Macron describe a Elon Musk como "un tipo sobresubvencionado" para defender la financiación pública industrial
• France 24: Nucléaire, renouvelables: le gouvernement dévoile enfin sa stratégie énergétique d'ici 2035
• Libération: Nucléaire, renouvelables : le gouvernement dévoile enfin sa stratégie énergétique d’ici 2035
• Le Figaro: Fossiles, nucléaire, renouvelables... Comprendre la future PPE et le mix énergétique français en cinq graphiques
• 20minutes: Plus de nucléaire, moins de renouvelables... Le gouvernement dévoile sa stratégie
• RFI: Stratégie énergétique française: le nucléaire préféré aux énergies éolienne et solaire
• BFMTV: Relance massive du nucléaire mais coup de frein sur l'éolien terrestre et le solaire: le gouvernement modifie sa stratégie énergétique face à une consommation électrique qui stagne en France

Facts

• The PPE aims to cut fossil fuel consumption from 60% to 40% by 2030.
• Six new EPR nuclear reactors are planned as part of the strategy.
• Solar energy targets have been reduced from 54 GW to 48 GW.
• Onshore wind targets have been lowered from 33 GW to 31 GW.

Quotes

• The 'real mistake' would be to do nothing — Sébastien Lecornu
• I am relieved that the sector finally has guidance and that this guidance is not a moratorium on renewables — Marine Tondelier

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