Julien Aubert: French Energy Policy Must Serve as an Instrument of Power
In this opinion piece for Le Figaro, Julien Aubert, president of the Valmy Institute and former MP, critiques France's current energy strategy as a political impasse. He argues that while French electricity is low-carbon, it has become excessively expensive due to a shift away from the nation's traditional strengths in nuclear and hydraulic power. Aubert contends that the country has adopted a costly, unstable, and dependent energy model, replacing its previously sovereign and competitive system. He calls for an end to ambiguous policies that attempt to balance conflicting energy sources simultaneously. Instead, he urges the reaffirmation of nuclear power as the primary pillar of French energy sovereignty. Aubert suggests extending the existing nuclear fleet to its technical maximum, potentially up to sixty or eighty years, provided safety standards are met. He emphasizes that energy policy should not be dictated solely by market laws but must serve as a strategic instrument of national power, enhancing economic competitiveness and geopolitical independence, similar to the approach taken by Washington.
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Julien Aubert: French Energy Policy Must Serve as an Instrument of Power
In this opinion piece for Le Figaro, Julien Aubert, president of the Valmy Institute and former MP, critiques France's current energy strategy as a political impasse. He argues that while French electricity is low-carbon, it has become excessively expensive due to a shift away from the nation's traditional strengths in nuclear and hydraulic power. Aubert contends that the country has adopted a costly, unstable, and dependent energy model, replacing its previously sovereign and competitive system. He calls for an end to ambiguous policies that attempt to balance conflicting energy sources simultaneously. Instead, he urges the reaffirmation of nuclear power as the primary pillar of French energy sovereignty. Aubert suggests extending the existing nuclear fleet to its technical maximum, potentially up to sixty or eighty years, provided safety standards are met. He emphasizes that energy policy should not be dictated solely by market laws but must serve as a strategic instrument of national power, enhancing economic competitiveness and geopolitical independence, similar to the approach taken by Washington.
lefigaro