France is accelerating its electrification efforts, framing the shift away from fossil fuels as a matter of national interest amid ongoing geopolitical tensions in the Middle East. Prime Minister Sébastian Lecornu underscored on April 1 that electrification is no longer solely a climate issue but a strategic priority as the war in Iran disrupts oil and gas supplies and keeps prices elevated.
Paris aims to reduce its fossil fuel dependence from 60 percent to 40 percent by 2030. The government plans to achieve this target through widespread electrification of transport and buildings, including greater adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) and heat pumps. Lecornu’s announcement follows a broader European trend: consumers across the continent are increasingly investing in rooftop solar, heat pumps, and EVs to shield themselves from volatile energy markets.
Neil Makaroff, director of the pan-European think tank Strategic Perspectives, says France’s plan could set a positive precedent by leveraging its abundant low-carbon electricity, established nuclear fleet, and significant offshore wind and solar potential. Earlier this year, the government outlined a goal to have 60 percent of its electricity consumption met by low-carbon sources by 2030, supported by six new nuclear reactors alongside renewable installations.
On April 8, state-owned Électricité de France (EDF) unveiled a €240 million investment package to support this drive. Of that sum, €30 million will subsidize the conversion of diesel trucks to electric heavy goods vehicles (an average grant of €15,000 per truck), while €50 million will fund the rollout of 180 charging stations for long-haul electric trucks over the next three years. An additional €80 million will back the creation of new electricity-intensive industrial sites, offering turnkey connections to the grid to shorten setup timelines. The package also includes a flat €1,000 grant for 80,000 low-income households to install heat pumps in place of gas or oil boilers.
Bernard Fontana, EDF’s CEO, said the initiative demonstrates “concrete action” to strengthen France’s energy and industrial sovereignty. While renewables provided 47.5 percent of EU electricity in 2024, France’s share stood at 31.3 percent, with nuclear accounting for about 67 percent of its power mix. Lecornu emphasizes that the debate should not pit nuclear against renewables but focus on decarbonization and reducing import reliance.
Source: Euronews
