France scales nuclear and renewable energy to bolster grid resilience

France is navigating a significant energy transition characterized by a continued reliance on nuclear power and a rapid scale-up of renewable energy sources. Nuclear capacity is projected to remain between 61-63GW through 2035, supported by reactor upgrades and life extensions. Simultaneously, solar and wind capacities are expected to nearly double by 2035.

This shift presents a resilience challenge for the national grid. To manage the variability of renewables, experts emphasize the need for increased energy storage, such as battery systems and pumped hydro, as well as improved market mechanisms to reward flexibility and dispatchability.

On a broader scale, France’s high electrification rate of 27% serves as a potential model for the European Union, which aims to increase the share of electricity in its energy mix from 23% to 46% by 2040. France is further accelerating this transition by planning to close its last coal-fired power plant early next year.