The government announces investments in energy networks to avoid price increases

Invited on BFMTV, the minister detailed the objectives pursued by these investments: "The reason we are investing is precisely to avoid price increases, so that we can transform more electricity, so that we can produce more electricity."

He also reiterated the need to modernize existing infrastructure: "Today we have distribution networks that date back to the post-war period, in which we need to invest."

When questioned about the National Rally's estimate of 300 billion euros for the cost of the PPE, Roland Lescure mentioned the investments planned by RTE and Enedis, estimated at 200 billion euros.

These sums will be devoted "to networks, high-voltage lines, what is called electricity transmission and distribution".

Responding to the criticism, the minister stated that "All those who are accusing us of investing to increase prices are deluding themselves."

He continued by contrasting two strategic choices: "We can continue to buy 60 billion (64 billion euros in 2024, editor's note) worth of hydrocarbons all over the world, except in our own country, or we can decide to invest in an alternative." Before clarifying: "And the alternative is electricity produced in France."

PPE3

The highly anticipated third Multiannual Energy Programme (PPE) was unveiled on Thursday. It is intended to enable France to meet the challenges of energy sovereignty and decarbonization by 2035.

The government is counting in particular on a boost in the consumption of decarbonized electricity, especially from nuclear sources, in order to reduce dependence on imported and expensive fossil fuels.

This new programming marks a strategic shift with a significant revival of nuclear power, a low-carbon energy source but complex to deploy. It breaks with the previous PPE (2019-2024), which planned the closure of 14 reactors.

The roadmap also includes an acceleration of offshore wind development. However, the targets for onshore wind and solar power have been revised downwards compared to the version submitted for public consultation in March.

No moratorium on wind turbines

Roland Lescure also dismissed the idea of ​​a "moratorium" on wind turbines. "There are regions where there will be no more because there are already many," he indicated, while specifying that other territories would be affected by new installations.

"In the greater West of France, we know that there are few wind turbines compared to Hauts-de-France," explained the minister, who aims for "an eighth" of additional energy production thanks to new wind turbines, "mainly in regions where there are none."

Finally, he added: "And if we can replace existing wind turbines with more powerful ones, we will do so."

The minister also specified that 45.000 homes remained without electricity on Sunday, after Storm Nils passed through the territory.