The French Senate has rejected the proposal to halt new wind and solar power projects, preventing an immediate freeze
The rejection gives temporary relief to the industry, but a 2nd senate vote will be the deciding factor
French Energy Minister sees the country needing both nuclear as well as renewable energy to achieve energy independence
The French Senate has voted against a proposed moratorium on new wind and solar projects, which according to the country’s renewable energy association, Syndicat des Énergies Renouvelables (SER), signals to the broad support that these technologies enjoy in France.
“By rejecting this incoherent text, the National Assembly has confirmed the return of reason to the energy debates in our country. This very strong message, which was expressed from the field, must now be heard by senators and the Government,” stated the association.
On June 24, 2025, the upper house of the French Parliament (the Senate) voted against the proposed measure as 377, 142 for, and 47 abstentions. It was already approved by the lower house (the National Assembly) (see France En Route To Halt New Wind & Solar Energy Projects).
Had the Senate also marked its approval to the proposal, it would have halted all new wind and solar power projects in the country with immediate effect while lobbying support for nuclear energy.
The French Minister for Ecological Transition, Agnès Pannier-Runacher, was quoted by the local media as blasting the proposed moratorium and saying that this reflects a profound lack of understanding of what a balanced energy mix is. She stressed that France needs both nuclear and renewable energy to achieve energy independence.
SolarPower Europe’s CEO. Walburga Hemetsberger, believes voting for this law would be a ‘stark step back’ for France that should be leading the way for Europe and the world, as it ranked in the global top 10 solar markets last year.
While this rejection of the proposal by the Senate should provide some breathing space for the wind and solar industry in the country, the danger is not completely over yet. The text of the proposal will go back to the Senate for a 2nd reading.
“Our organizations now call on senators, who will be required to vote again on the text they had already adopted at first reading, to do so with wisdom, balance and reason,” said SER in a joint statement with ENERPLAN and France Renouvelables.