Energy Crisis in France: Wind and Solar Moratorium Sparks Uproar Amid Nuclear Challenges

Right-Wing Amendment Disrupts France’s Energy Transition Plans

France’s ambitious roadmap for energy reform has hit a major roadblock. On Thursday evening, the National Assembly passed a controversial amendment that effectively halts all new wind and solar energy projects. The motion, originally proposed by right-wing MP Jérôme Nury (Les Républicains) and backed by the far-right Rassemblement National (RN), has shaken the foundations of the country’s energy legislation and ignited fierce backlash across the political spectrum.

The proposed law, intended to define France’s energy future and prioritize a nuclear renaissance, has now been significantly altered. The adoption of several right-wing amendments has left the bill—originally passed by the Senate—barely recognizable. The full Assembly is expected to vote on the bill next Tuesday, but its prospects have dimmed considerably.

Government and Industry Leaders Condemn the Moratorium

Industry Minister Marc Ferracci did not hold back, calling the amendment “completely irresponsible” and “devastating” for the renewable energy sector. He warned that it sends a troubling message to industrial stakeholders at a time when energy investment needs clarity and confidence.

Antoine Armand, the bill’s rapporteur from the Renaissance party, went further, labeling the measure “an economic catastrophe.” He emphasized that this undermines efforts to provide long-term stability through energy programming and sharply criticized the opposition’s refusal to immediately withdraw the amendment.

MoDem group leader Marc Fesneau echoed this concern, lamenting that “instead of offering stability, this law now introduces instability.” The Green party declared in a statement that the revised bill had become “a serious threat to the climate,” condemning what they described as an Assembly that had “fallen into absurdity.”

The professional organization France Renouvelables warned that the decision could lead to one of the biggest mass layoffs ever initiated by parliament, with up to 80,000 jobs at stake.

Far-Right Celebration and Push for Nuclear Revival

Despite widespread condemnation, the RN celebrated the moratorium as a key victory. RN MP Jean-Philippe Tanguy declared it a central part of Marine Le Pen’s platform. The party has long criticized wind and solar power as unreliable and overly expensive. Earlier in the week, they had also secured an amendment calling for the reopening of the Fessenheim nuclear plant, which had been shut down in 2020.

Heatwave Threatens Nuclear Output

Meanwhile, France’s nuclear energy sector faces its own crisis. On June 19, EDF issued a warning about potential production cuts due to rising river temperatures. With an intense heatwave expected by the end of June 2025, the utility company signaled that multiple nuclear reactors might have to reduce output starting June 25, especially at the Bugey site along the Rhône River.

This highlights a structural vulnerability in France’s nuclear infrastructure. Most of the country’s nuclear plants use pressurized water reactors that require large volumes of river water for cooling. Plants operating in an “open-loop” system draw water directly from rivers like the Rhône and discharge it back, subject to strict temperature regulations designed to protect aquatic ecosystems.

If water temperatures surpass regulatory thresholds—typically between 27°C and 30°C—or if flow rates drop too low, EDF is obligated to scale back or even shut down reactor operations.

Bugey Power Plant Under Pressure

The Bugey nuclear plant, featuring four 900 MW reactors, is particularly exposed to this issue. Located directly on the Rhône, its cooling capacity—and by extension, its production efficiency—is tightly linked to river temperatures. During heatwaves, this link becomes a critical operational bottleneck.

With soaring temperatures and political uncertainty both clouding the future of France’s energy strategy, the country now faces a pivotal moment. As it navigates the dual pressures of climate change and political division, the path forward for French energy policy appears increasingly complex and fraught with risk.