France targets solar power to double RE output

PARIS: France aims to more than double its renewable power capacity by 2035, bringing unprecedented amounts of solar and wind power online to become carbon neutral by 2050.

The government is targeting 140 to 175 gigawatts of installed wind, solar and hydropower production capacity in 12 years, up from 63.5 gigawatts last year, according to a presentation.

Targets for increased use of biogas, renewable and synthetic fuels, hydrogen and carbon capture were also set.

The ambitious goals, underpinned by plans for a flurry of auctions for the installation of new generation capacity, underscored the scale of the task if France is to achieve its climate goals.

The need to reduce the country’s reliance on fossil fuels has also become more pressing since oil and gas prices soared after Russia attacked Ukraine.

Renewable energy (RE) accounted for 21% of French consumption last year and the aim is to double that by the end of the decade to comply with European Union targets.

The transition will require tens of billions of euros of extra public and private investments each year, and actions to boost local acceptance of things such as wind turbines and solar farms.

To achieve its goals, the French government has adopted controversial legislation aimed at accelerating renewable investment.

It’s also providing incentives to facilitate the construction of new manufacturing facilities for everything from electric-car batteries to solar panels and heat pumps.

France plans to award at least five gigawatts per year of so-called contract for difference (CFD) to help develop photovoltaic projects, and to auction at least 1.5 gigawatts of CFDs for onshore wind annually, the government document showed.

The country’s solar capacity could reach as much as 100 gigawatts in 2035, 15 years earlier than envisaged by President Emmanuel Macron before his reelection last year.

The government will also hold a tender for eight to 10 gigawatts of offshore wind projects in 2025, with the aim to reach 18 gigawatts of installed capacity in 2035.

France is also strengthening support for biomethane – aiming for 15% of supply in its gas network in 2030 – and will support the production of liquid biofuels and synthetic fuels. — Bloomberg