France defends nuclear power and rejects EU renewable energy targets

France and the European Commission have been at odds over renewable energy development targets for several years. In 2009, it was agreed that France would obtain 23% of its final energy from renewable sources by 2020. However, Paris has failed to meet that target, leading to continued criticism from Brussels.
Last December, France was called to order again for presenting an energy transition plan (Pniec) that was deemed insufficient. The project set a target of 33% renewable energy by 2030, far below the 44% required by a 2018 European directive.

Unchanged strategy

Despite criticism, France is sticking to its energy strategy. An updated version of the Pniec, recently published by the European Commission, shows that France is maintaining the same goals for developing renewable energy sources. The French government prefers to insist on a “decarbonized” goal, including nuclear energy, which has low greenhouse gas emissions.
Under the plan, France aims to achieve a 58% share of decarbonised energy in its final consumption by 2030. Paris maintains that this will fully contribute to Europe’s climate goals. The government stresses that the 23% renewable energy target set for 2020 will be finally achieved in 2024.

Risks and prospects

The French government has written to the Commission to explain its refusal to retroactively purchase renewable energy production volumes from other countries, as provided for in the directive in the event of non-compliance with targets, a position that could expose France to potential sanctions from the European Commission.
But with renewed interest in nuclear power in Europe, France is hoping to rally other countries to its cause by replacing renewable energy targets with decarbonization goals. The national plan calls for reducing greenhouse gas emissions by at least 50% by 2030 compared with 1990 levels.

Consulting and future challenges

The updated Pniec is not final, as it contains three strategic documents that are to be subject to public consultations. These are: the Multiannual Energy Program (PPE), the third National Low-Emission Strategy (SNBC-3) and the third National Climate Change Adaptation Plan (PNACC-3). The schedule of these consultations is subject to political negotiations after the completion of the legislation.
The French approach underlines a central challenge for the EU: finding a balance between different types of decarbonised energy sources while respecting common goals. The discussion on including nuclear energy in decarbonisation targets could redefine future European energy policy.