France's power transmission system operator (TSO) RTE has presented a €100bn investment plan in its network over the next 15 years, focusing on three strategic pillars. Half of this amount (€53bn) will be invested in electrification, i.e., in connecting new low-carbon production units such as EPR-2 reactors expected by 2040, new onshore renewable projects and new offshore renewable projects, for which no network exists so far, and large users (electrolysers, data centers, large industrial areas). Another €24bn will be invested to renew 23,500 km of existing lines and 85 000 transmission towers and adapt its transmission network to climate change. In addition, RTE will invest €16.5bn to strengthen its existing very high voltage network in five priority areas, mainly by transforming or doubling existing lines following their current route, which should avoid the construction of 30% of additional overhead lines.
In late 2024, RTE had awarded nearly €1bn in contracts to Nexans, Prysmian, Hellenic, NKT, and Solidal to secure around 5,200 km of underground cable ranging from 90 kV to 400 kV for its projects until 2028, reserving almost all of the French production capacities still available until 2028.