France has intensified its transition toward domestic electric power as the US-Israel conflict with Iran disrupts global energy markets. Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu announced on Friday that the government will nearly double its financial commitment to electrification, increasing support from €5.5 billion to €10 billion. The move follows the outbreak of hostilities on 28 February, which has seen Tehran obstruct the Strait of Hormuz, sending oil and gas prices to record highs.
Addressing the nation in a recorded speech, Sebastien Lecornu emphasised that while the regional violence in the Middle East is not a French conflict, the economic repercussions are being felt directly by households and businesses. France aims to leverage its existing nuclear infrastructure to decouple the national economy from volatile hydrocarbon markets.
The revised strategy builds upon an energy plan initially presented in February, seeking to pivot the national energy mix from a 60% reliance on oil and gas to 60% carbon-free energy by 2030. This shift relies heavily on the country’s 57 operational nuclear reactors, with a further six planned alongside a significant expansion of offshore wind farms.
The government has introduced stringent measures to eliminate fossil fuel consumption in the domestic sector through immediate policy changes. Gas heating systems will be banned in all new builds by the end of this year, while approximately two million social housing units are scheduled to phase out gas heating by 2050. Furthermore, new subsidies for electric heavy goods vehicles and commercial vans will reach up to €100,000 per vehicle to decarbonise the logistics sector.
To mitigate the impact of soaring fuel costs on essential workers, the French government will fund the leasing of 50,000 additional low-cost electric vehicles starting in June. This scheme specifically targets care workers, nurses, and tradespeople who require high-mileage transport for their daily operations.
President Emmanuel Macron previously described civilian nuclear power as a cornerstone of energy sovereignty, noting that a continued dependence on imported hydrocarbons leaves the nation vulnerable to external political pressure. By accelerating the shift to a power grid fuelled by domestic nuclear and renewable sources, France intends to insulate its economy from the geopolitical instability currently defining the Middle East.
