In view of the consequences of the Ukraine war, France wants to completely nationalize the energy company EDF again. This step is intended to ensure the planned expansion of nuclear power in France.
France wants to completely nationalize the energy company EDF again. “We must ensure our sovereignty in view of the consequences of the war in Ukraine,” Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne said in her government statement in parliament on Wednesday. “I confirm the intention of the state to hold 100 percent of the capital of EDF.” This allows EDF “to implement the ambitious and essential projects for the future of our energy supply as quickly as possible”.
EDF is already largely state-owned. President Emmanuel Macron had already announced in March that he wanted to fully nationalize EDF again. This step is intended to ensure the planned expansion of nuclear power in France.
Borne confirmed that France wanted to invest in the construction of new nuclear power plants. “The energy transition will succeed thanks to nuclear power,” said the head of government; Nuclear power is CO2-neutral, “sovereign and competitive”. At the same time, renewable energies are to be expanded. The aim is “a balanced energy mix with renewable energies and nuclear power,” said Borne. The state currently owns more than 80 percent of EDF. The group operates 58 nuclear power plants in France.
