Report: France will only be able to produce 3 GW of offshore power by 2032

A report from the Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis warned that France could have only 3 gigawatts installed offshore wind power by 2032, due to complex licensing, legal issues and local opposition.

The report recommended France streamline its licensing process, reduce the time frame for legal challenges, reform the market regulations, and create a phase-down nuclear plan to encourage more rapid development.

Why it's important

France's stated goal is to develop 18 GW in offshore wind energy by 2035. If current delays continue, it will only be a sixth away from that target by the year 2032. It also lags behind European Union ambitions on renewable energy.

KEY QUOTES

The report stated that "while neighbouring countries benefit from stable policy frameworks, and incentives to attract private investment," France has struggled in providing the same level certainty for investors.

CONTEXT

The report stated that France had the second largest offshore wind power potential in Europe. However, delays and high funding costs have left it behind countries with less potential, such as Germany and Netherlands. BY THE NUMBERS

The capital expenditure for offshore wind farms is usually between 3 and 5 million euros ($3.3 to $5.5 million) per megawatt in France. However, countries like Britain or Denmark with well-established supply chains often spend less.

It took at least a decade to complete the first French offshore wind tenders in 2011. The 2.4 GW awarded through tenders in 2019-2022 will take the same amount of time, as the projects are still in the feasibility stage.

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(source: Reuters)