Renewable energy

Renewable energies are the third main source of primary energy in France, with a share of 15.4% of the energy mix in 2023. Primary production of renewable energies has almost doubled since 2005, thanks to strong growth in wind power, photovoltaics, heat pumps and biogas. These four sectors, which accounted for just 3% of primary production of renewable energies in France in 2005, will represent 40% in 2023. This represents a 10.8% increase in 2023 compared with 2022, and accounts for 25% of total primary energy production. Furthermore, the country is ranked as the second most innovative European country in terms of low-carbon energy. (Source: Ecological Transition Agency - ADEME)

The sector in figures

• 50.5 TWh: wind power generation in 2023 (+35% compared with 2022), including 1.9 TWh at sea. 23.5 GW+ of connected power in 2023, including 1.5 GW at sea. 9,500+ wind turbines spread across more than 2,391 farms (including three at sea) at the end of 2023. France is the fourth largest producer of wind power in Europe (10%+ of European output).
• 22.7 TWh: photovoltaic solar power generation in 2023 (+19.2% compared with 2022). 20 GW of connected power in 2023. 891,761+ installations in 2023. (Source: SDES, Ministry for France’s Regions, the Ecological Transition and Housing)
• 30 MW of low-carbon hydrogen generation capacity in 2023. Nearly €9 billion invested as part of the national strategy for the development of decarbonized hydrogen. (NB: €7 billion in 2020, then €1.9 billion within the framework of “France 2030”)

France’s ambitions

The aim is to reach 40% of renewable energy in the French energy mix by 2030. To achieve this, all green energies will see their output increase. The capacity of wind power will be multiplied by two for onshore wind power and by eight for offshore wind power by 2035.

In the field of solar energy, total installed capacity will be tripled by 2030 and should reach 60 GW (19.4 GW in 2023).The aim is to reach an installed capacity greater than 100 gigawatts by 2050. (Source: Ministry for the Ecological Transition and Regional Cohesion)

The National Low-Carbon Strategy and the Multi-Year Energy Program for 2025 are currently being prepared. These planning documents, which should enable France to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050, are revised every five years.

Regarding low-carbon hydrogen, France aims to have an installed generation capacity of 6.5 GW in 2030. This will be made possible in particular by the development of seven “hydrogen basins” throughout the country so as to allow the pooling of production and synergies between manufacturers for transport and storage infrastructures.

A massive investment in R&D

French public investments in energy R&D reached €2,018 million in 2022, a sharp increase for the third consecutive year. In constant euros, the increase in funds allocated is 41% compared with 2019 and 14% compared with 2021. The resources allocated to R&D activities concerning new energy technologies make it the leading investment center ahead of nuclear R&D. (Source: Public Investments in Energy R&D in 2022 (April 2024) – Ministry for the Ecological Transition)

Affordable, carbon-free electricity

Thanks to its nuclear sector, France has one of the least carbon-intensive energy mixes in the world. It is ranked second in Europe for the most decarbonized electricity output. It can guarantee a stable supply at a competitive cost through long-term contracts for manufacturers with an electro-intensive status.

Effective public support measures to promote supply and stimulate demand for renewable energy

In 2023, France has stepped up its support to encourage supply and stimulate demand for renewable energies:

• The Renewable Energy Production Acceleration Act of March 10, 2023 simplified procedures and accelerated approval of solar and wind power projects.
• The Green Industry Act of October 23, 2023 facilitated the establishment of industrial facilities and the inclusion of environmental criteria in public procurement contracts. France has adopted several new regulatory measures to facilitate procedures related to land, authorizations and the electrical connection of strategic projects, including those integrating hydrogen.
• In April 2024, the French government launched the Solar Pact to support the development of the French photovoltaic industry by mobilizing public procurement, reinforcing carbon criteria, committing renewable energy developers to using more French panels, and making commitments for agrivoltaics and small-scale installations. The aim is to build a sustainable French photovoltaic industry.

Additional measures are planned as part of the European Net Zero Industry Act.

Spotlight on wind power

At an industrial level, France is a key player in the wind industry in Europe, with four of the 12 European units producing blades and nacelles for offshore wind turbines. It has many SMEs, mid-size companies and startups across the entire value chain. With 3,500 km (2,175 miles) of coastline, metropolitan France has the second largest offshore wind potential in Europe.

Spotlight on photovoltaics

France has many businesses across the value chain and dynamic R&D centers, such as the Photovoltaic Institute in Ile de France and the National Institute for Solar Energy.

Spotlight on hydrogen

Thanks to its competitive low-carbon electricity from its nuclear fleet, France is able to accommodate hydrogen production projects within a short time frame, without needing to set up new renewable energy generation capacities.

France has a dynamic ecosystem, with more than 400 players of all types (public bodies, clusters, R&D centers, private businesses of all sizes) across the entire value chain. The France Hydrogène association brings together these players and supports the sector as close as possible to the different regions of France, thanks to its 12 local delegations.

• The Italian Iveco Group has committed €115 million of investment in France in 2023 to sustain its presence in the country, in particular by designing and industrializing battery-powered and hydrogen-powered electric buses (IVECO BUS and HEULIEZ brands) and by developing a hydrogen-powered thermal engine (FPT Industrial) in Bourbon-Lancy (Bourgogne-Franche-Comté region). France is the second largest country for Iveco Group, with its four production sites and four R&D centers.

• The Irish group Amarenco, an independent producer of photovoltaic energy, is very active in France, having invested in nearly 2,000 infrastructure projects. The business is finalizing the construction of a European-scale battery storage project and has connected the first semi-terrestrial, semi-floating hybrid solar power plant located in Lot-et-Garonne (Aquitaine region). To date, Amarenco has established itself as one of the largest suppliers of energy storage batteries in Europe.

• The German business Connected Wind Services is one of the leaders in maintenance services on the European market. Due to the rapid growth of its activities in France, including the acquisition of wind farm maintenance contracts in the Grand Est region, Connected Wind Services decided in 2023 to create a new branch in Châlons-en-Champagne (Grand Est region). With this establishment, the firm is actively participating in strengthening the generation of renewable energies in the Grand Est region to achieve the aim of becoming a low-carbon and positive energy region by 2050.