France

The French energy system is unique in Europe for its relatively low greenhouse gas emissions since only a minor part of the electricity is produced by fossil fuel. This is the result of a major transformation of the energy system in the 1970s, triggered by the oil crises, which caused a very fast departure from power plants running on oil and coal. At the same time, France developed one of the largest nuclear parks in the world. Nowadays, with nuclear energy dominating the French energy landscape, there is an emerging consensus that nuclear electricity production must gradually give way to renewables. France possesses the largest renewable resources in the EU: large wind energy potential because of its long coastal areas, a sizeable hydroelectric production thanks to several mountain ranges such as the Alps, sun-drenched areas in the South ideal for solar energy, and vast amount of land and forested areas with a potential for sustainable bioenergy. The main issues regarding energy in France are:

• Abundance of nuclear electricity maintained a surplus of electricity, leading to exports and not inciting electricity savings. However, the nuclear plants are getting old and will have to be replaced soon.
• Unstable legislation regarding support for renewable energy sources
• High oil dependence, particularly on transportation

The French energy discourses are, politically, about the energy transition from nuclear, as it is now being questioned although there is large support and will remain the largest source of energy for the years to come. Another key discourse is on the reduction of the energy trade bill, recently reduced thanks to low oil prices. Energy efficiency is gaining importance on political agenda but historically, France mostly looked at the supply of the energy system.