Wind Power News: France
These news and opinion items are gathered by National Wind Watch to help keep readers informed about developments related to industrial wind energy. They are the products of the organizations or individuals noted and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of National Wind Watch.
Permitting limbo threatens French deployment
No new projects in France can secure permits following a court ruling at the end of 2017, meaning the forthcoming auction is set to be undersubscribed. Up to 5GW of onshore wind power projects in France are under threat following a court decision in December 2017, which overturned the environmental permitting system. At least 3GW of projects seeking consent are frozen, and 2GW of authorised projects face “a high risk of cancellation by the administrative courts,” French wind energy association . . . Complete story »
France cuts tariffs on controversial offshore wind projects
The French government on Wednesday approved six long-delayed offshore wind projects but sharply cut their subsidies. In 2012-14, France had awarded tenders for the six projects to French and foreign utilities with contracts to sell electricity at feed-in tariffs guaranteed by the government of around 200 euros per megawatt (MW) for 20 years. But public opposition to wind farms has long delayed the projects, and since then prices for international offshore wind power have more than halved. French energy regulator . . . Complete story »
Ecotecnia blade snaps in France
Holding Dio Energie is investigating why a blade on an Ecotecnia Eco74 turbine snapped during a storm at its 11.69MW Dio-et-Valquieres wind farm in France. The machine is part of a seven-turbine project located in the southern region of Hérault. A company spokeswoman said: “We have immediately cordoned off the wind farm and are now looking into the incident’s exact causes. “The storm was strong enough to bring down a stone cross not far away.” Holding Dio Energie is hoping . . . Complete story »
French Court of Audit slams green schemes
Renewable energy support schemes are not effective in driving the country towards its climate objectives, despite their significant costs, according to a new report from France’s Court of Auditors. The report by auditors was to a finance committee meeting at the French senate last week. It noted the spending on mechanisms to support renewables was estimated at €5.3 billion in 2016 and is set to grow in the future. The vast majority of this spending (€4.4 billion) backed renewable electricity, . . . Complete story »
France wants to renegotiate offshore wind projects: Les Echos
The French government wants to renegotiate and possibly cancel offshore wind projects on the French west coast that were awarded in 2012 and 2014, the financial daily Les Echos reported on Friday. The paper said the government, as part of a package of laws submitted to the Senate, had included an amendment proposing the renegotiation or possible cancellation of the tender awards for a combined 3,000 megawatt of wind power on six sites. Government officials could not immediately be reached . . . Complete story »
Aveyron : 13 opposants au projet éolien de Crassous interpellés au réveil
[13 wind project opponents were arrested in early-morning police raids.] Une opération de gendarmerie d’envergure a été menée, tôt, ce jeudi 25 janvier au matin. Tôt ce jeudi matin, avant 7 heures, les gendarmes ont procédé à une dizaine d’interpellations à Camarès, Saint-Affrique et Saint-Victor-et-Melvieu. Une opération simultanée qui visait des opposants au projet éolien de Crassous, près de Saint-Affrique. Ces derniers avaient occupé illégalement le site de Crassous et bloqué l’avancée des travaux en décembre dernier. Convoqués par la . . . Complete story »
France sets out ten-point plan to double wind power capacity by 2023
The French government on Thursday announced a ten-point plan which will simplify administrative procedures and accelerate the development of wind power projects in order to double its installed generation capacity by 2023. The government said the proposed reforms will cut in half the average time it takes for wind power projects to be completed and connected to the French electricity grid. If successful, it could counter long-running opposition from activists who have frustrated the country’s attempts to reach renewable energy . . . Complete story »
France plans to accelerate wind power projects
France is expected to announce measures this week to accelerate the installation of wind turbines and overcome long-running opposition from activists who have frustrated the country’s attempts to hit renewable energy targets. A working group formed in October to make approvals easier has finalised plans that include removing one legal avenue for blocking projects and paying a portion of wind farm taxes directly to affected communities, an industry official said. French onshore wind projects delivering 22 gigawatts (GW) have been . . . Complete story »
Le préfet de la Corrèze dit “non” à l’implantation d’éoliennes à Saint-Priest-de-Gimel
Le préfet de la Corrèze Bertrand Gaume a refusé vendredi la demande de la société Eole-Res d’implanter trois éoliennes au lieu-dit Le Puy l’Aiguille, sur la commune de Saint-Priest-de-Gimel (Corrèze). C’est une information qui n’a pas manqué de donner le sourire aux membres de l’association “Agir pour le plateau des étangs”. Dans un arrêté en date de vendredi 5 janvier, le préfet de la Corrèze, Bertrand Gaume, a refusé la demande de l’entreprise avignonaise Eole-Res d’implanter et d’exploiter trois aérogénérateurs, . . . Complete story »
Le Conseil d’État confirme l’annulation des schémas régionaux éoliens adoptés sans évaluation environnementale
[State Council comfirms annulment of region wind energy schemes adopted without environmental evaluation] Les schémas régionaux du climat, de l’air et de l’énergie (SRCAE) étaient tenus de faire l’objet d’une évaluation environnementale même si aucun texte réglementaire ne le prévoyait au moment où ils ont été attaqués (ce qui a changé depuis). Telle est la conclusion à laquelle est parvenue le Conseil d’Etat dans plusieurs décisions rendues le 18 décembre par lesquelles il rejette le pourvoi de la ministre de . . . Complete story »
