Recent Advancements in Security of Clean Energy Transition in France

The chapter tackles the process of energy transition in France and aims to illustrate that in addition to the traditional methods of energy transformation (i.e. moving away from hydrocarbons and development of renewable energy sources, increased energy efficiency, carbon-free nuclear power), new areas of the French case of energy transformation are based on emerging future industrial technologies (electric vehicles, hydrogen technologies), which are supposed to revolutionise the transport sector and fit into the concept of French “strategic industrial sovereignty”. The aspiration of the French government and President E. Macron is to combine sustainable development with the country’s re-industrialisation. The French transformation is therefore based on innovation and, in the long term, is intended to strengthen France’s “economic sovereignty”. This chapter explores whether and how a multidimensional transformation covering the energy, industry, environment, and changing customer habits has an impact on the economy of France, thus providing a better understanding of its policy. France offers a compelling case for analysis because of the prominent role nuclear energy plays in its energy mix. This not only enables the country to produce electricity with low emissions but also gives it a competitive edge, particularly in areas like hydrogen production. The results also highlight a strong emphasis on electric vehicles and hydrogen technologies, reflecting an effort to connect sustainability goals with industrial policy. From a methodological standpoint, the discussion relies on an analysis of French legislation acts, government programs in the period of 2015 and 2023, and official government communications and political declarations of the president of the French Republic.