The long term switch to wind and solar and storage over nuclear is driven by the cost of new facilities. French president Emmanuel Macron has unveiled a long - term plan to switch to wind and solar power and close all coal plants by 2022 . Further , Macron will reduce nuclear 's share of France 's energy mix to 50 % from 75 % and shutter 14 reactors by 2035 . He also intends to increase its solar capacity from 8.5 GW to 45 MW and triple wind capacity . However , the country relies on € 5bn ( $ 5.7bn ) annual investment , funded by increases in carbon tax that have already sparked nationwide protests .
French president Emmanuel Macron has unveiled a long - term plan to switch to wind and solar power and close all coal plants by 2022 . Further , Macron will reduce nuclear 's share of France 's energy mix to 50 % from 75 % and shutter 14 reactors by 2035 . He also intends to increase its solar capacity from 8.5 GW to 45 MW and triple wind capacity . However , the country relies on € 5bn ( $ 5.7bn ) annual investment , funded by increases in carbon tax that have already sparked nationwide protests .