Energy Policies of IEA Countries: France 2009
The International Energy Agency's periodic review of France's energy policies and
programmes. This 2009 edition finds that the energy policy of France seeks to achieve
a balance between the environmentally responsible production and use of energy, the
growth and competitiveness of the economy, and secure and competitively priced energy
and infrastructure.
To meet these objectives, the French government in 2007 launched an impressive environmental
programme,
Grenelle de l’Environnement, which sets ambitious targets, particularly in the buildings
and transport sectors. The government has also made commendable efforts in enhancing
gas supply security and forwarding initiatives to expand infrastructure and interconnections
with neighbouring countries. These efforts should make regional electricity and gas
markets more stable and secure. In the nuclear power sector, France has created an
independent Nuclear Safety Authority and established a comprehensive framework for
managing all kinds of radioactive waste and materials.
Notwithstanding its policy successes, France faces a number of challenges. Its targets
aimed at combating climate change are very ambitious. While greenhouse gas emissions
in France are lower than the average among IEA countries due to the important role
in electricity generation of nuclear power, emissions in the transport and buildings
sectors increased from 1990 to 2008. Effective implementation of the announced policies
and measures will be imperative for meeting France’s international and national commitments.
In the electricity sector, the co-existence of regulated tariffs and market prices
may impede mobilising the investment needed for maintenance and life extensions of
nuclear power plants. The country also needs to boost the flexibility of electricity
networks in order to achieve a structural balance between base load generation and
increasing demand for peak-load.
This review analyses the energy challenges facing France and provides sectoral critiques
and recommendations for further policy improvements.
Published on July 23, 2010
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