Wind Power in France

 
General

The renewable energy objectives in France are defined by the 13 July 2005. Three targets are clearly defined in order to meet the overall objective. Firstly, the share of national renewable electricity production should reach 21% of the electricity consumption by 2010. In 2009 this share is about 13,5 % (source: Eurobserv'ER). Secondly, a 50% increase in the heat production coming from renewable sources. And thirdly, a 7% increase in the share of biofuels used for transport. The french government, in the framework of the annual investment in electricity production (PPI) in 2009, details the means used to achieve the development goals of renewable energy production.

The law named ‘Grenelle 1’ adopted on October 2008 confirms the willingness of the country to diversify its energy sources and meet the long-term target of 20% of renewable energy by 2020.The technical part of the Grenelle law, named law ‘Grenelle 2’ has been adopted on May 2010.

Renewable Electricity: wind power

The wind purchase prices for electricity produced by wind turbines is defined by the decret of 17 November 2008 :

1. For onshore installations, the purchase contract lasts 15 years and establishes the following rates: 8.2 c € / kWh for 10 years and between 2.8 and 8.2 c € / kWh for 5 years, depending on site productivity.
2. For Offshore installations, the contract lasts 20 years and establishes the following rates: 13 € c / kWh for 10 years, then between 3 and 13 € c / kWh for 10 years according to site productivity.
3. French overseas departments and Mayotte
A single fare 11c € / kWh has been set.

The objectives established for wind sector of 11 500 MW for the 31 December 2012 (10 500 MW onshore and 1 000 MW for offshore wind farms) already seem to be compromised. The country's target for 2020 of 25 000 MW (19 000 MW onshore and 6 000 MW for offshore wind farms) appears as more viable. The government has announced in may 2010 with the law 'Grenelle II' some major changes in the wind turbine licensing system. The wind turbine entered, from then on, in the scope of classified installations for the protection of the environment (ICPE). The law 'Grenelle II' also consolidates the establishment of wind power development zones (ZDE). For new wind parks, only those constructed in a ZDE shall be able to benefit from the feed-in tariff. These zones are defined by the regions, as a function of different parameters such as the site's potential, the possibilities of connection to the power grid and protection of the environment...New wind parks have to contain at least 5 wind turbines and be distant from 500 meters of housing area.
Future development of wind sector in France will depend on the adapting capacity of the wind market actor to this set of new constraints. From the government point of view the implementation of this new mechanism should streamline wind power project applications and curb the possibilities of redress.

The feed-in-tariffs are indexed on inflation and working costs in industry. 

Detail of applicable administrative  procedures

Land-based wind-turbines

As required by the Town Planning Code, wind-turbines having a mast height greater than 12 metres are subject to planning permission. The Construction and Housing Code submits wind- turbines having a mast height greater than or equal to 12 metres to technical inspection.
As required by the Environment Code, wind-turbines having a mast height greater than or equal to 50 metres are subject to an impact study and public inquiry. The operators must provide financial guarantees for the reinstatement of the site on decommissioning of the facility. The Grenelle II law provides for the methods for the creation of financial guarantees and for the general provisions for decommissioning to be set by decree before the end of 2010.
To benefit from the obligation to purchase electricity produced, any new wind farm created since 15 July 2007 must be situated in a Wind Power Development Area (ZDE) which requires a positive opinion from the municipalities hosting the project.
In order to avoid scatter development, the Grenelle II law provides for new wind power facilities to be comprised of at least five wind-turbines to benefit from the obligation to purchase in a ZDE. However, this rule does not apply to small facilities comprising one wind- turbine of less than 250 kW and of less than 30 metres.
The Grenelle II law also provides for wind-turbines to respect a minimum distance of 500 metres from housing. It also provides for wind farms to be classified under the IPCE regime (authorisation).

Sea-based wind-turbines

The Grenelle II law provides for the abolition of all formalities required by the Town Planning Code. It also provides for sea-based wind-turbines that the purchasing obligation is not subject to being sited in a ZDE.
As required by the Code of State-owned property, any project for the siting of a wind farm in the public maritime domain must be subject, for the wind-turbines themselves and for their connection to the land, to an authorisation to occupy state land, together with a fee set by the tax authorities. The decree relating to concessions for the use of the public maritime domain excluding ports constitutes the regulatory context of the state land occupation procedure.
As required by the Environment Code, wind farms are subject to authorisation as they constitute works in contact with the marine environment and have a direct impact on this environment. They are also subject to an impact study and public inquiry.
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Moreover, the Grenelle II law provides for the methods for the creation of financial guarantees and for the general provisions for decommissioning to be set by decree before the end of 2010. It also provides for the classification under the IPCE regime for sea-based wind farms.
The strategy for ensuring their development is based on the launch of the call for tenders within zones defined as relevant by the public authorities. This targeted procedure of calls for tenders allows control of the execution calendar, optimisation of the conditions for connection and acceleration of the obtention of all authorisations required.

Future programme changes expected

No information is available on future programme changes.

Sources

Ministère de l'Ecologie, du Developpement Durable, des Transports et du Logement
OBSERV'ER
http://ec.europa.eu/energy/renewables/transparency_platform_en.htm
The National Renewable Energy Action Plans (NREAPs) are all published on the Transparency Platform on Renewable Energy: http://ec.europa.eu/energy/renewables/transparency_platform/action_plan_en.htm (sourced July - December 2010)


Interactive EurObserv’ER Database

http://www.eurobserv-er.org

Last update: [January] 2011