France risks missing its renewable energy targets for 2030. Although the country managed to reach a 22.2% share of renewable energy in its gross final energy consumption in 2023, according to figures from the French Ministry for Ecological Transition, its 2030 targets remain in jeopardy. Paris considers the EU target of a 44% share unrealistic. Euractiv reports.

Compared with 2022, France increased the share of energy from renewable sources by a total of 1.9 percentage points. This was due to increased renewable energy generation, which rose by 5.6%, combined with lower nationwide consumption, which fell by 2.6%. This trend was repeated for several consecutive years, enabling France to ensure the stable development of renewable energy and gradually meet interim targets.

Not enough to meet European targets

The ministry says that progress towards the targets so far can be considered a success. However, it is still not enough to meet the targets set by European legislation.

The Renewable Energy Directive, also known as RED, set an overall target for 2020 of a 20% share of renewable energy in gross final energy consumption across all 27 member states. Given France’s above-average installed renewable energy capacity at the time, its target was raised to 23%. With its current share of 22.2%, the country still falls short of the target set for 2020.

That is why, since 2022, the government has announced a series of measures aimed at accelerating renewable energy development. The latest include announcing a timeline for offshore wind energy through 2035 and 2050, as well as simplifying all administrative procedures related to construction.

On Wednesday, 15 May, President Emmanuel Macron officially opened a 500 MW offshore wind farm off the coast of Normandy in northwestern France. The Fécamp wind farm comprises 71 Siemens Gamesa turbines. The first turbine for the project was installed in July 2023.

Fécamp is France’s third completed commercial-scale offshore wind farm, after the Saint-Nazaire (480 MW) and Saint-Brieuc (496 MW) wind farms. France plans to generate 40% of its electricity from renewable sources by 2030 and achieve carbon neutrality by 2050. France also aims to develop 40 GW of offshore wind capacity by 2050.

Although these steps will help France significantly increase its use of renewable energy, the government continues to categorically reject adopting the EU’s 2030 target.

A flawed target and possible penalties?

The government says the target set by the European Union is not necessary to achieve the ultimate goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions. French political leaders argue that emissions can be cut primarily through the efficient use of the nuclear power fleet.

That is why, at the end of 2023, then Energy Minister Agnès Pannier-Runacher and colleagues from 10 other member states called for a review of how the EU’s overall targets for renewable energy are distributed among member states. Many consider the 2030 target of 42.5% unattainable.

France is also refusing to include any “renewables” target in its National Energy and Climate Plan (NECP), submitted to the European Commission, contrary to the recommendations of the EU executive.

The consequences for France of missing its 2020 targets remain unclear. For now, the French government insists that the country will not pay any penalties, even if the procedure could require them. This could change in the future, however, and the European Commission could sanction France. If it did not, that would call into question the relevance and enforceability of any European targets.