The French renewable energy sector is facing a wave of job losses, with more than 20,000 positions in solar and wind energy either eliminated or at risk over the past two years, according to the Syndicat des Énergies Renouvelables (SER). These sectors accounted for nearly 70,000 jobs in 2024, according to SER data. Workers in the sector recently gathered at the Cité des Sciences et de l'Industrie in Paris for the 27th annual raout, an event organized by the SER to support the industry. Notably, no minister attended the gathering, and the workers decided to organize a demonstration on the sidelines—a rare occurrence for a sector that has only staged two demonstrations in its history. Valentin Pineau, a developer of photovoltaic projects, expressed concern about the sector’s future, warning that something very harmful is likely to occur in the next few months, which could be a catastrophe. According to France Renouvelables, a network of companies that surveyed its hundred members in May, 10 to 15% are hiring, 40% are stable, and the rest are declining. This indicates a slowdown in growth and increased uncertainty for the industry. The sector’s current situation is largely attributed to government policy reversals. In 2022-2023, the government encouraged the expansion of renewable energy, leading to a surge in hiring. However, three years later, despite severe energy shocks, the government has continued with policy changes that have left the sector in limbo. The final version of the multiannual energy programming project (PPE), published at the beginning of the year, cut development targets for renewables by 10 to 20% depending on the sector. For 2026, the government allocated less than half of the 4.6 gigawatts (GW) of planned projects, according to the SER. For 2027, the outlook is unclear, as the presidential election is expected to dominate the political agenda. The government has also announced that it is considering auditing approximately 8,000 already constructed photovoltaic projects to reduce their subsidies retroactively in case of "overpayment." Jules Nyssen, president of the Syndicat des Énergies Renouvelables, described this as harassment, estimating that the government wants to shut down renewables. Mattias Vandenbulcke, spokesperson for France Renouvelables, highlighted the paradox between the stated desire to accelerate the ecological transition and the destruction of jobs. The Energy Commission noted that the development of renewable energy transfers purchasing power to consumers, with lower bills, but this benefit is not being fully utilized at a time when the price of a liter of diesel is approaching three euros.