France plans to triple wind power capacity by 2030

• 5 years ago (2018-11-29)
• David Flin

Europe 1089 Wind 257

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France has presented a new energy plan, in which it plans by 2030 to triple its onshore wind power capacity and multiply its solar power capacity five-fold. This will boost the share of renewables in its energy mix to 40 per cent, according to the plan. Currently, France has around 20 per cent of electricity coming from renewables.

French President Emmanuel Macron said the Government would increase spending on renewables development to €8 billion annually, up from €5 billion, to take total spending to €71 billion between 2019 and 2028.

France is on track to meet its target of 15 GW of installed wind power capacity by the end of the year, but installation of solar panels is likely to fall short of the 10.2 GW target by the end of the year.

Macron said: “By 2030, the production of the onshore wind farm will be tripled, and the amount of energy produced from solar photovoltaic multiplied by five.” He said that the Government would ensure that power prices from renewables projects are kept low for consumers while developing more power interconnectors with neighbouring European countries.

The Government plans to reform France’s ARENH market mechanism, in order to keep a check on power prices.