WindEurope has called on French policymakers to boost energy security ahead of the vote on the country’s Renewable Energy Acceleration Act.
On 10 January, France’s National Assembly is set to vote on the bill, which aims to accelerate the development of renewable energy projects.
However, WindEurope has warned that some Members of Parliament could keep or introduce unhelpful amendments to the text causing the bill to slow down the uptake of renewables instead of speeding it up.
The French Senate previously amended the bill to include giving veto rights to mayors and the national heritage commission over wind projects, and imposing high minimum distance from shore requirements for offshore wind farms.
However, they were removed from the final version of the text in the Senate and again in the National Assembly, the lower chamber of the French Parliament.
The group noted that France is the only EU country that has failed to reach its 2020 renewable energy targets agreed under the EU’s renewable energy directive.
Missing this binding target exposes France to a penalty of €500m, while spending another €6-9bn per year in gas imports to compensate for the shortfall.
The missed goals are largely due to long and complex permitting procedures, WindEurope said.
WindEurope’s Chief Policy Officer Pierre Tardieu said: “This renewables bill could be great news for France’s energy security. Wind can be deployed very quickly, at scale. So passing this bill would go a long way to help France prepare for next winter, which very well may be tougher than this winter. MPs have a serious responsibility.
“This is not about partisan bickering, but about containing power bills and keeping the lights on.”