Saint-Nazaire (AFP)

Jean Castex presented on Saturday calls for tenders intended to amplify the development of renewable energies, mainly solar, insisting during a trip to Saint-Nazaire on his desire to be "up to the climate challenge".

We must "accelerate the ecological transition" and move forward in the "massive development of renewable energies", declared the Prime Minister who had chosen to speak from the Saint-Nazaire site (Loire-Atlantique, off which the very first French offshore wind farm will be commissioned at the end of 2022.

"The government is launching seven new calls for tenders to amplify this development. The first application periods will open next October," said Mr. Castex.

"Over the next five years, more than 25 billion euros of investments will be made in renewable energies, making it possible to support more than 25 gigawatts of new solar, onshore wind and hydroelectric production capacities," he said. he continued, specifying that "25 gigawatts represents nearly 10% of our electricity consumption".

"I therefore invite all renewable energy sectors to mobilize today to discuss with local players and offer us quality projects", wished the head of government, explaining that "two-thirds" the investments concerned "will be made in solar energy, which constitutes the priority axis of our strategy in terms of renewable electric energy".

These calls for tenders "should also make it possible to carry out onshore wind projects, in places where we can carry them out," he added.

"More than onshore wind power, it is the development of offshore wind farms which must constitute, after solar power, the second priority axis of our strategy in terms of renewable energy", affirmed Jean Castex.

On this subject, the Prime Minister confirmed the government's wish to launch a new wind farm project in Normandy, alongside the existing project located off Barfleur.

The government, relying in particular on the French Research Institute for the Exploitation of the Sea (Ifremer), "will very quickly launch a new study program devoted to marine environments", explained Mr. Castex.

This project, endowed with 50 million euros, "will include a new national observatory of wind power at sea, which will make it possible in particular to make available to all the synthesis of the scientific knowledge available on the effects of wind farms at sea on biodiversity. ", he detailed.

© 2021 AFP