Production of future wind turbines off Saint-Nazaire, in Montoir-de-Bretagne, September 15, 2020. -

AFP

The capacity of the French wind farm has increased and continued to create jobs in 2019 and early 2020, despite a delay linked to the health crisis, according to the Wind Farm Observatory published on Tuesday by France Wind Energy (FEE).

The wind farm increased by 11% compared to 2018, bringing its capacity to 16.6 gigawatts with 8,000 wind turbines throughout the territory, according to this study by the FEE, which brings together 90% of the players in the sector in France.

The share of wind power reached 6.3% of French electricity production (+ 21% compared to 2018), which remains dominated over 70% by nuclear.

More than 20,000 people employed in France

"The sector shows that the energy transition is a source of employment, with an 11% increase in jobs in 2019", according to the FEE.

“20,200 people now work in this sector”.

The increase in investment and employment in 2019 and early 2020 is largely linked to the start of construction of the first offshore wind farm off the French coast, in Saint-Nazaire, with a capacity of 480 megawatts.

The Fécamp offshore wind farm, with a capacity of 497 megawatts, will also begin construction, with commissioning scheduled for 2023. The FEE estimates that the health crisis could delay between 300 and 700 megawatts of wind capacity over the next few years, but emphasizes production continuity, with an average wind power coverage rate of 8.8% in the first half.

The trend towards concentration among turbine manufacturers has also continued, with the four leaders (Enercon, Vestas, Senvion and Nordex) representing more than 83% of installed capacity.

Among operators, the French giants Engie and EDF continue to dominate the market with capacities of 2,584 and 1,675 megawatts at the end of June.

Equipment that should double by 2028

The Minister of Ecological Transition Barbara Pompili, quoted in the report, assures us that the government is working to "simplify the procedures relating to offshore wind power, without reducing the place given to dialogue with stakeholders, and supporting the development of the first parks.

"

The government's energy roadmap plans to double the onshore wind capacity by 2028 and to launch an annual call for tenders for offshore wind power of around 1 gigawatt, recalls the FEE.

"The sector is ready to achieve these objectives," declared FEE president Nicolas Wolff at a press conference, "but for that it is absolutely necessary to remove certain constraints.

"

"Today the urgency is for coherence", he added, calling on the government to "free up space", 47% of French territory being today banned from wind power.

France is the 4th wind energy country in Europe by its connected power behind the United Kingdom, Spain and Germany.

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