France trims offshore wind ambitions in new energy plan
Government’s PPE3 roadmap boosts nuclear while maintaining renewables push
The French government has reduced its offshore wind ambitions in its latest long-term energy roadmap, shifting greater emphasis toward nuclear power as part of its pathway to carbon neutrality by 2050.
The so-called PPE3 energy plan, published on Thursday, outlines France’s energy strategy for 2026–2035. While the plan maintains support for offshore wind development, it sets a target of 15GW by 2035, down from the previously stated 18GW.
For onshore wind, the government said it will prioritise repowering existing wind farms to increase output while limiting environmental impacts. Installed onshore capacity is targeted to reach 31GW by 2030 and 35–40GW by 2035, compared with roughly 24GW in 2025.
Nuclear power features prominently in the updated strategy. The government confirmed plans to construct six new EPR2 reactors with first commissioning expected from 2038, alongside an option for eight additional units. The roadmap also includes measures to consolidate and extend the life of France’s existing fleet of 57 reactors and optimise output to around 380TWh annually from 2030.
Hydropower capacity will also be expanded, with a planned 2.8GW increase in dam capacity, including an additional 640MW from upgrades to existing concessions.
Work on PPE3 began in 2022 but publication was delayed amid political turbulence in France, including changes of prime minister and rising criticism of renewable energy from far-right parties.
