France Publishes 2026–2035 Energy Plan, Revives Nuclear and Slows Onshore Wind, Solar

Overview

• Published by decree after a three‑year delay, the PPE3 sets a nuclear‑led roadmap through 2035 and was unveiled by Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu during visits to Jura hydropower sites.
• The plan commits to prolonging the existing fleet and building six EPR2 reactors with eight optional, with experts noting no new unit is expected to enter service before roughly 2038.
• Targets scale back onshore wind and photovoltaics, emphasize offshore wind with adjusted timelines, and highlight fresh investment in hydropower as a storable, dispatchable renewable.
• The government projects nuclear output at about 380–420 TWh by 2030 and aims to cut final fossil energy use to 40% by 2030, with an electrification package due in spring and a formal 2027 review.
• Economy Minister Roland Lescure argues the strategy will not raise household bills and cites about €200 billion needed for grid upgrades, while the RN readies a Conseil d’État appeal and possible censure and NGOs fault the plan’s weaker renewables push.