The French National Assembly has passed a controversial moratorium on new wind and solar energy projects as part of the 2025-2035 Energy Programming Law. The move, driven by the center-right party Les Républicains (LR) and supported by the far-right Rassemblement National (RN), has sparked fierce criticism from the renewable energy industry and climate advocates.

A decision threatening the renewable sector

According to France Renouvelables, the leading association representing the sector, this moratorium constitutes “the largest social plan in France”, potentially affecting nearly 80,000 direct and indirect jobs: 31,000 in wind power and 50,000 in solar photovoltaic. The sector has seen an 11% growth in 2023, with projections reaching 100,000 jobs by 2030, amidst a period of rapid industrial revitalization and decarbonization efforts.

“While scientists warn that the Paris Agreement targets are slipping out of reach, our deputies are calling for… more studies!” the association lamented, referring to the main justification for the moratorium: the demand for an “independent and objective study” on France’s future energy mix. This is despite numerous technical studies having been conducted over recent years.

Parliamentary dynamics and political fallout

The moratorium was introduced through an amendment by Jérôme Nury (LR) during the ongoing debate on the so-called "Gremillet" energy law project, which will continue until Friday. Due to a lack of sufficient seats on the left and central parliamentary blocs (Ensemble pour la République, Horizons, MoDem), the right and the far-right alliance RN-UDR managed to secure the votes needed for approval.

Antoine Armand, the bill’s rapporteur, called for a suspension of the session after the vote, condemning the decision as a “catastrophic economic and industrial setback” and blaming the right-wing parties. Socialist, Green, and La France Insoumise (LFI) deputies strongly criticized the vote, with Matthias Tavel (LFI) denouncing it as a deliberate sabotage against the government and national interests.

Industry Minister Marc Ferracci called the decision “devastating” and “completely irresponsible,” while reaffirming the government’s commitment to assume its responsibilities as the legislative process continues.

The debate: Science and economics vs. ideology

During the heated parliamentary debate, proponents of renewables presented technical and economic arguments. Matthias Tavel warned of the moratorium’s impact on strategic projects such as the General Electric factory in Saint-Nazaire, crucial for offshore wind.

Julie Laernoes, from the Ecologist and Social group, cited reports from RTE showing that without renewables, France will import 15% more gas by 2030. Jean-Luc Fugit emphasized the need for both nuclear and renewable energy to ensure energy sovereignty.

Economic and social consequences

Beyond employment figures, the renewable sector is a major economic driver in French regions. Around 70% of jobs are created outside urban centers, spanning design, construction, installation, and maintenance phases. Upcoming projects like solar panel gigafactories are expected to generate up to 5,000 additional jobs.

Each installed wind turbine helps avoid fossil fuel imports worth €200,000 annually, benefiting France’s trade balance. France Renouvelables warns that this legislative halt strengthens fossil fuels, which “win on all fronts, holding the French hostage.”

Contradictions in legislative ambitions

Interestingly, on the same day the Assembly approved the moratorium, it also voted in favor of an ambitious renewable energy target for 2030. A socialist amendment stipulates that out of the 560 terawatt-hours (TWh) of carbon-free electricity France aims to produce by 2030, “at least 200 TWh must come from renewable sources.” This amendment received broad support, including from LR, but was opposed by the far-right.

This divergence exposed internal contradictions. Antoine Armand questioned LR about this discrepancy, calling for clarification on the party’s stance. The left lamented the failure to maintain sector-specific targets (for wind, solar, hydro), viewing it as a bad signal for industry. Industry Minister Ferracci defended the decision to avoid quantified goals in the law, emphasizing the need for flexibility based on technological and market developments.

Political divisions and strategic contradictions

The vote exposed deep fractures within the government. Minister Ferracci called the moratorium “devastating” but the executive branch did not rally its parliamentary group to block it.

The left accused the majority of “denying climate science,” highlighting the contradiction with global trends: while the U.S. accelerates its energy transition with the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) and the EU pushes the Green Deal, France sends mixed signals to its renewable sector and the international community.

The bill now moves to the Senate, where LR holds a majority but may face opposition. Meanwhile, union and environmental mobilizations are ramping up, especially in regions with strong renewable industries such as Brittany and Occitania.

European pressure is also mounting, as France risks failing to meet its renewable energy commitments under EU law.

A deeper reflection

During the debate, Karim Benbrahim (Socialist Party) posed a poignant question: “This is not just about energy, but about the kind of country we want to build.” At a time when climate urgency and industrial revival converge, the decision to stall renewables raises serious doubts about France’s energy policy coherence.

Meanwhile, the industry braces for the worst. As one LM Wind Power worker in Cherbourg lamented: “We went from climate heroes to facing layoffs because of a vote.”