France's electricity transmission network is entering a new phase of expansion. RTE, the country's transmission system operator, has unveiled a strategy to accelerate electrification through a major transformation of the national grid, including €8 billion in dedicated investments by 2030 to connect new industrial electricity consumers and strengthen the integration of renewable energy.

The plan supports the French government's objective of decarbonising industry while reducing dependence on imported fossil fuels. Today, 60% of France's total energy consumption still relies on fossil fuels, whereas the country's electricity mix is already 95% decarbonised.

According to RTE, France also benefits from abundant low-carbon electricity. In 2025, the country exported around 100 TWh of electricity, equivalent to roughly one quarter of its domestic consumption, positioning electrification as a key driver of industrial competitiveness and energy sovereignty.

More than 200 industrial projects await grid connection

One of the main challenges identified by RTE is the growing number of high-voltage grid connection requests. More than 200 industrial projects representing nearly 33 GW of new electricity demand are currently awaiting connection.

These projects include data centres, hydrogen production facilities and energy-intensive industries. Together, they represent electricity demand equivalent to almost three times the current consumption of France's entire industrial sector. RTE estimates that if around half of these projects move forward, they could make a significant contribution to achieving the country's decarbonisation targets.

To reduce waiting times, RTE will reform its grid connection framework by the end of 2026. The current "first come, first served" principle will be replaced by a "first ready, first served" approach, giving priority to projects that are most advanced.

New industrial zones with pre-developed grid capacity

As part of the strategy, RTE will establish industrial areas where electricity infrastructure is available in advance to facilitate new investments.

The company plans to provide 9 GW of additional connection capacity by 2029 across the country's main industrial-port hubs of Dunkirk, Le Havre and Fos-sur-Mer, supporting low-carbon steel production, battery manufacturing and digital infrastructure.

A further 5 GW will be developed across five medium-sized industrial zones located in southern Île-de-France, southern Alsace, Saint-Avold, Valenciennes-Maubeuge and Port-la-Nouvelle.

RTE also announced that it will launch a fast-track connection process before the end of 2026 for five major data centre projects, each requiring between 700 MW and 2,000 MW of capacity and expected to be connected between 2028 and 2029.

€94 billion investment programme through 2040

The acceleration of grid connections will be accompanied by a large-scale expansion and modernisation of France's transmission network.

RTE plans to triple its annual investment pace by 2030 and invest a total of €94 billion by 2040 under its long-term grid development programme.

The investments will strengthen existing transmission lines, expand network capacity and enable the integration of larger volumes of renewable energy while maintaining system stability and security of supply.

According to RTE, the programme will also generate significant industrial employment. The operator estimates that every job created within the company supports seven additional jobs across manufacturers and suppliers, leading to between 8,000 and 10,000 new jobs in France's electricity network industry by 2030.

The strategy forms part of France's national electrification plan. On 26 May 2026, during a meeting at the Élysée Palace with more than 200 representatives from industry, businesses and public authorities, RTE signed a pact with the French Electrical Networks Industry Association (FIERE) to mobilise investment, manufacturing capacity and workforce development in support of the country's third Multiannual Energy Programme (PPE 3) and national electrification roadmap.