
Wind power is an increasingly significant source of renewable electricity production in France, accounting for nearly 28% of all installed renewable power capacity. France set a new record for wind power industry development in 2017, with over 1.6 GW of newly installed wind power capacity. These installations bring the country’s total land-based installed wind power capacity to approximately 13.5 GW.
The record installation rates are the continued result of simplified administrative procedures and better visibility in terms of regulatory changes. The annual electrical energy output from wind was 22.6 TWh, a significant increase from 2016. This increase is the result of higher installed power capacity, with an unchanged capacity factor with respect to the year before. Wind and all renewables covered 4.7% and 18.4% of national electricity demand, respectively.
The first call for tender of 500 MW of onshore wind power and some initiatives to facilitate wind deployment also occurred in 2017. Concerning offshore wind, the first phase of a competitive dialogue for a third tender in the Dunkerque area took place, as well as preparation of a new tender in the Oléron area. The start of studies for a commercial call for tenders for floating wind farms was also announced in 2017, following the ongoing wind farm pilot projects.
To learn more about France's wind energy sector, please read their chapter in the
IEA Wind TCP 2017 Annual Report.