MEDEF and EU Push for Removing Barriers to Accelerate France's Economic Electrification

France's largest employer federation, MEDEF, has welcomed the unveiling of the third multiannual energy programming (PPE) but calls for urgent action to accelerate the electrification of the French economy. MEDEF emphasizes that overcoming current administrative and financial obstacles is crucial for increasing electricity use across industries, thereby enhancing competitiveness and advancing the country's low-carbon transition.

In parallel, European Commissioner for Economy Valdis Dombrovskis announced a sweeping review of EU legislation set to conclude by 2029. This initiative aims to strip out obsolete, redundant, and unnecessary regulatory requirements across all sectors to ease administrative burdens and promote economic growth throughout Europe.

Dombrovskis highlighted that the European Commission has already launched an unprecedented simplification program over the last year to ensure regulations better serve citizens and businesses. He also underscored the strategic importance of reducing dependency on Russian gas, noting that since 2022, EU spending on Russian gas has outpaced financial support for Ukraine. Secure and diversified alternative energy sources are therefore critical to prevent new dependencies and ensure energy sovereignty.

MEDEF's call aligns with the EU’s broader efforts to foster a regulatory environment that enables rapid energy transition and competitiveness. Removing these hurdles is seen as essential to unlocking wider use of electricity in French industry and meeting ambitious climate goals.

As both French and European authorities work towards streamlined policies and regulatory frameworks, the focus remains on delivering effective reforms that will support electrification and sustainable growth while safeguarding energy independence.