The French government has opened a public consultation on the third edition of the Programme Pluriannuel de l’Énergie (PPE3), a key document that will shape the country’s energy planning until 2035. The plan, which will be under consultation until April 5, sets ambitious goals for the development of offshore wind, the expansion of renewable energy, and reducing reliance on fossil fuels.

According to projections from the Ministry of Energy Transition, France’s electricity production is expected to reach 668 TWh by 2035, representing a 20% increase compared to current levels. This growth will be driven primarily by wind and solar energy. Additionally, a reduction of 200 TWh in final energy consumption is expected through energy efficiency policies and electrification in key sectors.

It is important to note that the Syndicat des Énergies Renouvelables (SER) has played a crucial role in territorializing this program. “What we did was define a national target for each type of energy and then break it down by region in France,” explained Jérémy Simon, Deputy General Delegate of SER, in an interview with Strategic Energy Europe.

Simon acknowledged that although the regionalized target plan is ambitious, its implementation will face political, technical, and social challenges. “We hope that the process will be sufficiently driven by local authorities,” he stated.

Strategic Boost for Offshore Wind: Over 45 GW by 2050

Offshore wind will be one of the main pillars of France’s energy plan. PPE3 establishes that by 2035, the country will have 18 GW of installed capacity, progressively increasing to 26 GW by 2040 and more than 45 GW by 2050. This growth aims to strengthen France’s energy security, reduce fossil fuel dependence, and consolidate its leadership in renewable energy in Europe.

To achieve these targets, the government has defined a strategic tender schedule:

• AO9 (2025-2026): 1.5 GW of floating wind capacity and 1 GW of additional capacity.
• AO10 (2026): 8 GW of offshore wind capacity.
• AO11 (2030-2031): Additional allocations to meet long-term goals.

These projects include both fixed and floating wind turbines, a technology in which France is investing heavily due to its geographic and technological advantages.

Ports: Key to the Transition Towards Floating Wind Energy

One of the strategic aspects of PPE3 is the development of port infrastructure to facilitate the deployment of floating wind turbines. The plan establishes the need to modernize ports to receive, assemble, and deploy large-scale turbines, as well as to create manufacturing centers with a capacity exceeding 500 MW per year along each of France’s maritime coasts.

This strategy addresses two main objectives:

1. Reducing logistics costs and accelerating installation timelines. Optimized ports will enable France to maximize local production and reduce dependence on foreign infrastructure.
2. Creating jobs and strengthening the local industry. The expansion of the offshore wind sector will generate employment in manufacturing, maintenance, and naval engineering.

The industry has welcomed these measures positively, as they provide certainty to investors and foster a strong industrial ecosystem around offshore wind energy.

Marine Renewable Energy: France Bets on Innovation

Beyond offshore wind, PPE3 also focuses on developing other marine renewable energy sources (MRE), particularly tidal and current energy. A key tender has been announced:

• 250 MW of tidal turbines at Raz Blanchard, with an expected award by 2030.

Located in Normandy, Raz Blanchard is one of the most promising locations for tidal energy in Europe. The exploitation of these technologies will allow for greater energy diversification and the utilization of previously untapped resources.

Additionally, continuous monitoring of the potential of other marine energy sources, such as osmotic energy and wave energy, is planned to identify future investment and development opportunities.

Solar Energy: Accelerated Growth

PPE3 reinforces France’s commitment to solar energy. By 2030, installed photovoltaic capacity is expected to reach 54 GW, while by 2035, it is projected to be between 65 and 90 GW, far exceeding the 19.3 GW recorded in 2023.

The plan prioritizes installations in already artificialized spaces, such as parking lots and unused land, as well as the growth of agrivoltaics (the integration of solar panels into agricultural activities). Several support mechanisms have been established to accelerate expansion:

• Three annual tenders for building-integrated photovoltaics, with a capacity of 300 MW per round.
• A yearly technology-neutral tender for solar, onshore wind, and hydroelectric projects, with a capacity of 500 MW.
• Development of industrial capabilities for module, cell, and wafer manufacturing in France.

Onshore Wind and Hydropower: Sustained Growth and Modernization

The plan aims to maintain an annual growth rate of 1.5 GW in onshore wind, ensuring a balanced distribution across the territory and investing in repowering (upgrading existing wind farms). Competitive tenders will continue to be used to ensure the profitability of projects.

Regarding hydropower, PPE3 outlines a 2,300 MW capacity increase by 2035, aiming to optimize existing installations. The development of at least 1.7 GW of additional pumped storage (STEP) will also be promoted through new tenders.

Hydrogen and Biogas: New Pillars of the Energy Mix

France is also investing in green hydrogen as a key vector for industrial and transport decarbonization. By 2035, up to 8 GW of electrolysis capacity is expected to be installed, enabling a 40 TWh equivalent production.

In the biogas sector, production will increase from 19.5 TWh in 2023 to between 50 and 85 TWh in 2035. The focus will shift toward injecting biogas into the natural gas grid, rather than cogeneration, while promoting the methanization of livestock waste.

Grid Integration and Network Development

To ensure the stability of the energy system, PPE3 includes:

• Adaptation of the electricity transmission network with a 2035 outlook.
• Strengthening grid management tools to integrate a growing share of intermittent renewable energy.
• Expansion of charging infrastructure for alternative fuels, with a strong focus on electric vehicles along major highways.
• Promotion of flexibility solutions, such as energy storage and demand-side management.