The French Energy & Climate draft Plan

Abstract

Since the French NECP is "embedded" in a now long period of energy transformations, the credibility of this plan must be confronted with the recurring difficulties observed in the implementation of the French energy transition strategy. On one side, this whole process is very ambitious, in line with the French commitment during the COP 21, and accelerates the implementation of the commitment under the Paris Agreement (OECD, 2016). But on the other side, much uncertainty persists. Those uncertainties include: the way and time horizon for reduction of nuclear power; the development of potential substitutes for fossil fuels; the effectiveness of demand side measures. All things considered, while the French commitment to an energy transition is credible, the implementation of a coherent governance system remains challenging in France.