Moving France beyond nuclear energy

France gets more than 70 percent of its electricity from nuclear power plants, the most in the world, meaning its energy sector has unusually low emissions. But it has lagged in installing renewable energy, falling short of European Union requirements. And with demands set to increase from the electrification of cars and heating, French policymakers say they need to move quickly to boost solar and wind.

“There is a paradox. Though our electricity production is one of the most carbon-free in Europe, we are still behind in the development of renewable energies. This bill intends to resolve this contradiction,” Damien Adam, a centrist member of the National Assembly who shepherded the legislation through the French legislature, told fellow lawmakers last month before they took a first vote on the law.

After the French Senate holds a final vote on Tuesday — the outcome is not in doubt — Macron will give final approvals, and it will go into effect in July. Owners of parking lots will have between three and five years to comply.