France is unlikely to meet its offshore wind targets unless it simplifies permitting procedures and fosters a more supportive investment environment, according to new research from the Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis (IEEFA).
Although France has launched several offshore wind tenders since 2011, only 1.5 GW is currently operational, providing just 1% of the country’s electricity. Without a significant acceleration in deployment, the study warns that France may only reach 3 GW of capacity by 2032—far short of the government’s target of 18 GW by 2035. This would limit offshore wind’s contribution to replacing ageing nuclear reactors scheduled for retirement.
The report highlights that continued policy support for nuclear energy has diverted financial and political attention from renewable sources, posing a risk to long-term energy security. IEEFA outlines several recommendations:
- Develop a nuclear phase-down strategy with offshore wind as a central component of future energy planning.
- Invest in grid modernisation to accommodate the variable output of renewable sources.
- Reform electricity market rules, removing grid priority and preferential tariffs for nuclear power while including renewables in capacity mechanisms.
- Encourage diverse investment by improving the financial attractiveness of offshore wind projects through consistent policy and increased public investment.
