France: retrospective of NFP, RN and Renaissance proposals

Energy policy in France has become a key issue, at the crossroads of environmental, economic and geopolitical issues. Faced with climate commitments and the need to provide reliable, affordable energy, France’s three main political parties present divergent visions. The Rassemblement National (RN), Renaissance (the presidential party) and the Nouveau Front Populaire (NFP) present distinct strategies for France’s energy future, differing notably in terms of technological priorities, energy transition, national sovereignty and economic implications.

Nuclear Energy: A Controversial Pillar

The RN sees nuclear energy as key to France’s energy independence. The party proposes a significant increase in the number of nuclear reactors, aiming to produce 80% of electricity by 2050. It also supports the introduction of SMRs (Small Modular Reactors), although these technologies are still in the development phase and raise doubts about their economic viability. The plan is to build ten new reactors by 2031 and another ten by 2036, but experts consider these goals unrealistic due to time and cost.
Renaissance, meanwhile, is also betting on nuclear power, with an ambitious program that includes building 14 new nuclear reactors in two phases, as well as developing SMRs. The party proposes extending the life of existing reactors to guarantee stable, low-emission production. Renaissance combines this strategy with strong support for renewable energies, offering a more sustainable approach.

Renewable energies: divergent visions

The RN has strongly criticized wind and solar power for their instability and dependence on foreign technologies, particularly Chinese ones. This could slow down the energy transition and increase dependence on fossil fuels during the transition to nuclear power.
Renaissance, on the other hand, places a strong emphasis on renewable energy sources. The party plans to double onshore wind capacity to 40 GW by 2035 and reach 18 GW for offshore wind. They also aim to increase the pace of photovoltaic deployment to 75 GW by 2035. A fund has been set up to renovate 300,000 homes by 2027, with a focus on energy-efficient construction.
The NFP strongly supports renewable energy sources, with the ambition to make France a European leader in marine energy and to strengthen renewable energy production sectors. They are strongly opposed to the privatization of French hydroelectric dams and propose to keep these infrastructures under public control.

Gas and Hydrogen Utilization: Short-Term and Long-Term Strategies

To compensate for the delay in deploying new nuclear capacity, NR proposes the temporary use of gas-fired power plants, although this solution has been criticized for its impact on CO2 emissions and increased dependence on gas imports. It also plans to support gas pipeline infrastructure to secure supplies.
Renaissance prefers to invest in more sustainable solutions, such as green hydrogen. They foresee massive investment in green hydrogen production, with a target of 6.5 GW of electrolysis capacity by 2030, including the development of the infrastructure needed to support the technology. While NFP has a coherent vision of promoting traditional renewable energy sources, such as wind and solar, it has struggled to explain its position on integrating hydrogen into its energy strategy. This ambiguity could impact the economic and social implications of their program.

Economic and social consequences

The RN promises to restore the “French electricity price” by negotiating a 30% cut with Brussels, although this promise is considered unrealistic. They also propose reducing the VAT on fossil fuels to 5.5%, which would cost the state budget 168 billion euros. The party advocates a policy of energy sovereignty to reduce dependence on imports.
Renaissance proposes to cut electricity bills by 10% to 15% by reforming the European electricity market. They offer subsidies for renewable energy and decarbonised hydrogen projects and plan to simplify administrative procedures for SMEs. The party aims to lower employer fees to encourage wage growth without increasing costs for companies.
The NFP proposes to scrap planned electricity and gas price increases and strongly opposes tariff increases. It advocates for more social energy policies to protect consumers, particularly low-income households and small businesses. However, the financial resources to support these proposals are not always clear, which may limit their implementation.
The variety of energy programs proposed by the main French political parties reflects not only contrasting visions but also distinct strategic priorities for the country’s energy future. While the RN relies heavily on nuclear expansion to ensure energy independence and is highly critical of renewables, Renaissance takes a more balanced approach, combining nuclear and renewable energy while supporting green hydrogen. The Left Alliance, on the other hand, is divided on nuclear power but strongly in favor of renewable energy, with an emphasis on protecting public hydroelectric resources. On the economic and social fronts, the proposals are also mixed. The RN promises significant electricity price cuts and supports energy sovereignty policies, although its proposals are widely questioned for their financial realism. Renaissance focuses on electricity market reform, clean energy subsidies, and support for SMEs, while the NFP opposes tariff increases and advocates for a more social energy policy.
In short, the energy policy debate in France is highly polarized, with clear dividing lines between those who favor nuclear power as the centerpiece of the energy transition and those who see renewables as the path to a more sustainable future. The results of the recent parliamentary elections underscore this divide, along with the increasing fragmentation of the political landscape. France’s energy future will depend not only on technological choices but also on the ability of decision-makers to reconcile energy security, environmental sustainability, and social justice in a complex and rapidly changing economic context.