PARIS, France — In a dramatic reversal, the French National Assembly Energy votes against a controversial amendment that would have imposed a moratorium on wind and solar power projects nationwide. And It’s breaking that France blocks Right-Wing Plan to Ban Green Energy. The decision is a major victory for France’s renewable energy sector, coming just days after industry leaders warned that the proposal could have cut up to 80,000 jobs and threatened more than 5 billion euros in clean energy investment.
Last week, the world watched as France declared a “war on green energy,” with conservative and far-right parties pushing for legislation that would have suspended all new renewable development until 2035. The vote took place yesterday and today, MPs rejected the amendment, a renewed confidence in France’s commitment to a clean energy future.
Breaking: France Green Energy Ban Proposal Rejected
The world, from developed to developing, is undoubtedly driven by growing clean energy ambitions. But it is suddenly surprising—almost paradoxical—that France, a historically climate-friendly country, is considering turning its back on renewable energy. This has surprised the world and angered its own people. French lawmakers have imposed a ban on wind and solar projects, while the UK Crown Estate recently revealed plans to invest up to £400 million in its offshore wind infrastructure—a bold move that only strengthens Britain’s green energy leadership.
Or how the French right has been emboldened to reflect the growing offshore wind ambitions in the US, as it faces obstacles! Notably, in a recent twist in the United States, President Donald Trump—a vocal critic of offshore wind Farm Projects—has shown surprising disapproval of American offshore wind expansion, citing strategic advantages. But just as Americans are vocal about renewable energy, so too is France, which has been forced to reject France Green Energy Ban under some pressure. A sad example would be France debating frozen progress while others rush toward a wind-powered future.
The amendment, introduced by Republican MP Jerome Nouri, was approved in a first reading by a narrow section of parliament last week. It proposes to suspend all procedures for approving new large-scale solar and wind power projects – a move that clean energy advocates have been describing as “economic sabotage” and “climate neglect”.
Nouri claimed that the introduction of renewable energies has doubled electricity prices, harmed rural life and put financial pressure on the state. He called for an independent study to determine France’s “optimal energy mix” before allowing any new development.
But the backlash was swift and intense.
“The proposed law would have wiped out decades of progress, destroyed up to 80,000 clean energy jobs and thrown France’s climate targets into disarray,” said Jules Nyssen, president of the French Renewable Energy Trade Association (SER).
France Green Energy Ban Draft Bill
In the first reading in the National Assembly, lawmakers passed a series of amendments to France’s national energy and climate policy bill. Among the most controversial are: a wind and solar moratorium of France on the permitting and commissioning of new wind and solar installations until an “independent study” is conducted to determine France’s “optimal energy mix.”
The amendment, introduced by Republican MP Jerome Nouri, would not affect projects already approved. But it would immediately halt future development for up to a decade — freezing the pipeline at a crucial moment when global momentum is building around offshore and onshore wind, solar PV and hybrid clean energy systems.
“The rollback of renewable energy has driven up electricity prices, disrupted rural communities and imposed an unreasonable burden on taxpayers,” Nouri claimed, citing a 100% increase in electricity costs and “environmental degradation” as justification for the moratorium.
The amendments passed include:
A step away from the biofuel target
An exclusive focus on nuclear power as the backbone of France’s future energy mix
Giving local governments the power to reject their regional renewable energy projects.
Key Takeaway:
🗳️ France National Assembly Energy Voted for France Green Energy Ban against the France wind and solar moratorium
💼 80,000 clean energy jobs threatened in wind, solar, manufacturing and supply sectors
💰 €5 billion collapse in Engie’s planned projects in solar farms, wind installations and grid interconnections
🏭 160,000 renewable energy jobs lost nationwide
🔌 France’s climate targets unlikely to be met in 3-5 years
📉 Risk of rating downgrade due to loss of investor confidence
Government response: “Irrational and irresponsible”
Environmental Change Minister Agnès Panier-Runacher has strongly opposed the right-wing policy against solar and wind, calling it “irrational” and calling on lawmakers to show “responsibility” in shaping the country’s energy future.
She reminded parliamentarians that France had already imposed a similar moratorium in 2010, which nearly collapsed the solar feed-in tariff scheme and cost 20,000 jobs in the country’s photovoltaic sector.
“We cannot repeat the mistakes of the past,” she warned. “France’s energy future depends on a diversified and ambitious strategy – not on isolationism and procrastination.”
Jobs, investment and climate targets back on track
France National Assembly Energy vote brought relief to major renewable developers, including Ng, who warned that the moratorium could put €5 billion in wind and solar investment at risk. Energy analysts also noted that the amendment also threatens France’s net-zero targets for 2030 and 2050 and EU climate obligations.
Brussels-based industry group WindEurope applauded the decision.
“France has made the right decision,” said WindEurope spokesman Christophe Ziff, adding that “in times of geopolitical instability, Europe needs to grow its domestic renewables – not behind them.”
A narrow escape for a green transition
The proposed ban was part of a broader effort by far-right and nationalist parties to refocus France’s energy strategy solely on nuclear power. Their platform called for:
Abolish biofuel development targets
Give local authorities more power to reject renewable projects
Prioritize nuclear power as the only “reliable” energy source
The rejection of the amendment by a majority of lawmakers in today’s vote shows that despite political polarization, a strong pro-renewable energy coalition remains intact in parliament.
What Next?
However, experts on the suspension say the close call is a wake-up call for France’s renewable energy sector. France Green Energy Ban highlights the fragility of the political consensus on climate action – even in countries committed to ambitious decarbonization timelines.
“The fight is not over yet,” Nyssen said. “We must remain vigilant and renewables are not just a matter of technology or economics – it is a matter of France’s credibility, resilience and global leadership.”