€8 Billion for Energy Transition and Nuclear Renaissance
France 2030 commits €8 billion to decarbonized energy, spanning nuclear new-build, green hydrogen, battery manufacturing, and renewable deployment. France’s unique energy profile — 70%+ nuclear-powered electricity, the lowest-carbon grid in Europe — gives it a structural advantage in the energy transition.
Nuclear New-Build: 6 EPR2 Reactors
President Macron announced the construction of 6 new EPR2 reactors (potentially expandable to 14), with first concrete at Penly expected by 2027. EDF leads construction, with Framatome supplying reactor components. The program secures France’s position as Europe’s nuclear anchor and creates an export pipeline for EPR technology to markets including India, UK, and Czech Republic.
Small Modular Reactors (SMRs)
France 2030 backs NUWARD (the EDF-led SMR consortium) with €500M+. NUWARD’s 340 MWe design targets industrial heat, desalination, and grid-flexible deployment. Competitors include Naarea (molten salt micro-reactor) and Jimmy Energy (nuclear cogeneration), all benefiting from France 2030 innovation funding.
Green Hydrogen: 4.5 GW by 2030
France’s €9 billion hydrogen strategy (including EU co-funding) targets 4.5 GW of electrolyser capacity by 2030. Key projects include H2V Normandy (200 MW, one of Europe’s largest), HyGreen Provence (renewable hydrogen in the south), and Air Liquide’s Normand’Hy facility. France’s nuclear-powered electrolysis offers the lowest-emission hydrogen in Europe.
Battery Valley: Three Gigafactories
| Project | Investment | Capacity | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Verkor (Dunkirk) | €2.5B | 16 GWh → 50 GWh | Production 2025 |
| ACC (Douvrin) | €5B+ | 40 GWh | Ramping 2025 |
| Envision AESC | €2B | 30 GWh | Under construction |
Combined, the “Battery Valley” in northern France will produce 120+ GWh annually by 2030, supplying Renault, Stellantis, and Mercedes-Benz. France 2030 co-funds cell chemistry R&D and raw materials processing.