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France wants to fast-track its electrification as the war on Iran continues to highlight the dangers of fossil fuel reliance.<\/p>\n
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Europe\u2019s oil and gas prices could remain high for a while, despite dips in the market following the announcement of a two-week-long ceasefire<\/a>. <\/p>\n Weeks of strikes on Gulf facilities are expected to have a multi-year impact on gas supply, while the Strait of Hormuz \u2013 which carries around one-fifth of global oil supplies \u2013 has been effectively closed since the war began. <\/p>\n Soaring prices have encouraged Europeans from across the continent to move towards home-grown, clean energy \u2013 with the uptake of electric vehicles (EVs), heat pumps, and rooftop solar panels increasing in several nations. The UK has also become the latest European country to greenlight plug-in solar systems<\/a> to help households cut their energy bills. <\/p>\n Is France finally turning its back on fossil fuels?<\/p>\n On 1 April, the French government announced it was moving to accelerate the electrification of its economy and phase out reliance on fossil fuel imports.<\/p>\n \u201cThe issue is no longer only about climate, it now concerns national interest,\u201d Prime Minister S\u00e9bastian Lecornu said at the time. <\/p>\n The government already aims to cut France\u2019s dependency on fossil fuels from 60 per cent to 40 per cent by 2030. This will mainly be achieved by electrifying transport and buildings, as well as the \u201cwider adoption\u201d of EVs and heat pumps. <\/p>\n \u201cThe French government\u2019s electrification plan can set a positive precedent for Europe in structurally addressing the current energy crisis,\u201d says Neil Makaroff, Director of pan-European thinktank Strategic Perspectives.<\/p>\n \u201cFrance is uniquely positioned to lead the continent\u2019s electrification, with abundant low-carbon electricity, an established nuclear fleet, and vast renewable potential \u2013 particularly in offshore wind and solar power.\u201d<\/p>\n Earlier this year, France announced it was aiming for 60 per cent electricity consumption by 2030, with six new nuclear reactors<\/a> and a mix of renewables spearheading the drive. <\/p>\n More EV charging stations and heat pump grants<\/p>\n This week (8 April), state-owned energy firm \u00c9lectricit\u00e9 de France (EDF Group) unveiled a \u20ac240 million investment to support France\u2019s electrification. <\/p>\n It has earmarked \u20ac30 million in purchase subsidies for transport operators converting diesel-chugging trucks into electric heavy goods vehicles, with the average subsidy amounting to \u20ac15,000 per truck.<\/p>\n A further \u20ac50 million will be allocated to the installation of 180 charging stations for long-distance electric trucks across mainland France within the next three years. <\/p>\n \u20ac80 million will be dedicated to supporting projects for the installation of new electricity-consuming industries in France. EDF says it will also offer \u201cturnkey sites with grid connections\u201d to reduce industrial setup timelines. This means instead of waiting years for approvals to connect to the grid, companies will be able to start operating much more quickly. <\/p>\n The support fund will also provide a flat-rate grant of \u20ac1,000 (combined with existing schemes) to 80,000 low-income households for the installation of a heat pump<\/a> to replace gas or oil boilers. <\/p>\n \u201cToday, more than ever, we want to accelerate the electrification of uses in order to help the country reduce its dependence on fossil fuels, particularly gas and oil,\u201d says Bernard Fontana, CEO of the EDF Group. <\/p>\n Fontana adds that the \u20ac240 million commitment is proof that EDF is taking \u201cconcrete action\u201d to support France\u2019s energy and industrial sovereignty. <\/p>\n