The presidents of six French coastal regions, as well as the industry, have expressed their opposition to France’s offshore wind targets. The country wants to add 2.2GW of offshore capacity by 2030, to the 3GW that is already allocated from the first two tendering rounds.
Commenting on France’s offshore wind goals, the presidents of Brittany, Normandy, New Aquitaine, Occitanie, Pays de la Loire, and Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur, stated that they have taken all the necessary measures to support the sector. These include investment, as well as support for business ecosystems.
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The regions criticized the targets, saying that this energy programme would be the worst-case scenario. They explain that the industry has already invested in technologies to achieve high levels of competitiveness. They are against the new plan, which according to them, will put France out of the international dynamics of wind at sea.
Namely, France decided to add 2.2GW of offshore capacity by 2030, to the 3GW that is already allocated from the first two tendering rounds. However, the industry and the regions had called for more ambitious targets. These included 10GW of offshore wind capacity, along with up to 5GW of floating wind.
As of now, France has 2MW offshore wind capacity, which entered into service in September 2018.
The residents of the France Energie Eolienne (FEE), the Renewable Energy Association (SER), and the French Maritime Cluster, also support the above mentioned regions in their position.
