With an aim to become a leader in green hydrogen by 2030, France plans to build low-carbon planes and small nuclear reactors as part of a 30 billion euro ($35 billion) investment plan. The announcement was made by President Emmanuel Macron on Tuesday as part of a roadmap dubbed “France 2030”.
France 2030 would ensure that the country decarbonises its industry and brings innovation and production in key areas, from cars and biomedicine to semi-conductors, closer to home by the end of the decade. The long-term plan, outlined six months before the presidential election, was swiftly criticised by the opposition as electoral campaigning, but Macron said those targets were key to ensure France’s rank in the world.
There was a shortage of face masks when the COVID-19 pandemic first erupted and Macron said that this crisis had exposed real vulnerabilities and the crucial need for France to have innovation and industrial production at home.
“We must rebuild the framework for productive independence for France and Europe,” he said, adding that innovation would be key amid global competition for leadership and access to raw materials. “The winner takes all,” he added.
Outlining some of the plan’s targets, Macron said that France would by 2030 build a low-carbon plane, a small modular reactor as well as two megafactories for the production of green hydrogen. It would also produce large numbers of electric vehicles.
“We must wage the battle of innovation and industrialisation at the same time,” Macron said as he outlined the plan to a group of entrepreneurs, adding: “We need a country that produces more.”
Macron said the plan will give a key role to small, agile start-ups in building France’s industrial future alongside well-established corporate giants.
