France has reiterated its target to halve greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 compared to 1990 levels. The share of fossil energies such as oil and gas in final consumption must be reduced from 60 percent in 2022 to 42 percent in 2030. Nuclear energy would must play an important role in this.
This is evident from the multi-year energy plan that the Ministry of the Environment presented in Paris on Monday. The plan also reiterates the intention to build next-generation nuclear power plants and overhaul existing reactors. The intention is to expand the capacity from 320 terawatt hours in 2023 to at least 360 terawatt hours in 2030.
According to the plan, solar energy capacity is expected to increase sixfold compared to 2022. The government expects an additional 5.5 gigawatts annually. Wind energy, which is rather poorly developed in France, will also be expanded. According to the plan, the goal is an annual increase of 1.5 gigawatts.
This could result in a total of 40 gigawatts in 2035, almost twice as much as in 2020. Offshore wind energy is expected to reach a capacity of 18 gigawatts in 2035. Currently that is only 1.5 gigawatts.
E-mobility must become standard
The government also sets itself the target that two-thirds of new cars sold will be electric by 2030. The goal is to reach a 15 percent share of electric cars in the country’s total car population by the end of this decade.
Despite an increase in sales over the past four years, electric vehicles accounted for just 2.2 percent of vehicles registered in France at the beginning of 2024, according to the ministry. The transport sector is responsible for almost a third of greenhouse gas emissions.
Until now, this value could hardly be reduced, says State Secretary for the Environment, François Durovray. He called for a redesign of the city’s infrastructure to shorten distances, promote public transport and promote vehicle electrification.
Companies still depend on combustion engines
Electric vehicles have accounted for 17 percent of new car sales in France since the start of the year, but growth has stalled, especially in the electrification of commercial fleets, according to government figures.
According to the draft budget currently being debated, subsidies for electric cars should be significantly reduced next year. According to the ministry, in the future the bonus should mainly be awarded to those who depend on an electric car to get to work.
Source: Krone
I’m Ben Stock, a journalist and author at Today Times Live. I specialize in economic news and have been working in the news industry for over five years. My experience spans from local journalism to international business reporting. In my career I’ve had the opportunity to interview some of the world’s leading economists and financial experts, giving me an insight into global trends that is unique among journalists.
