France is in the final phase of updating its Multi-Year Energy Program (PPE), a key document that will set the guidelines for the development of renewable energy in the country. Its official publication is expected in April, following a public consultation process. This plan will be fundamental for the energy transition, and its territorial implementation will shape the course of sector decentralization.

The Syndicat des Énergies Renouvelables (SER) has played a crucial role in defining regional targets. “What we did was define a national target for each type of energy and then break this target down into different regions of France,” explains Jérémy Simon, Deputy General Delegate of SER, in an interview with Strategic Energy Europe.

The union’s work has enabled the development of a detailed scheme of renewable capacities by region, aligned with national energy policies and international commitments to emission reduction. Each territory will have its own roadmap, leveraging its resources while adapting to its geographical and social constraints.

For example, solar photovoltaic energy has a national target of 65 GW installed by 2030, and this goal has been distributed among regions based on their potential. In contrast, onshore wind energy aims to reach 38 GW, starting from 20.6 GW recorded in 2022, with differentiated expansion depending on each area’s feasibility.

Regional Comparison: Toward a Renewable Balance

Data provided by SER reveal a significant transformation of France’s energy map. Some regions will play a leading role, while others will face structural challenges in adopting renewables:

Regions with the most ambitious renewable capacity targets for 2030 are set to become key drivers of France’s energy transition. Nouvelle-Aquitaine leads the projections with 14.2 GW of wind and solar, positioning itself as one of the highest-growth areas, nearly doubling its current capacity. Occitanie also stands out with 13.3 GW planned for wind and solar, reflecting steady growth from the 10 GW reached in 2022. Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur is making a strong bet on solar energy, with 10.2 GW planned, while its wind development remains minimal at just 0.4 GW. Nouvelle-Aquitaine, meanwhile, presents a balanced strategy with 10.2 GW solar and 4 GW wind, reinforcing its key role in diversifying France’s renewable energy mix.

Other regions with significant targets include Hauts-de-France, aiming to strengthen its wind capacity with 7.4 GW, along with 4 GW in solar, and Grand Est, which is projected to be a major energy hub with 6.8 GW in wind and 5.7 GW in solar. In a mid-range position but with strong potential, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes is targeting 8.5 GW in solar and 2.6 GW in wind, though it faces political challenges that may slow its development. These regions will be crucial for France to meet its climate and energy independence goals, ensuring an effective decentralization of renewable electricity production across the country.

Challenges in PPE Implementation

While the regionalized target scheme is ambitious, PPE implementation will face political, technical, and social challenges. “We hope the process is sufficiently driven by local authorities,” says Simon. Political willpower will be decisive in the speed of implementation, as will cooperation between municipalities and regional governments.

Additionally, there are territorial factors that will influence renewable expansion. “Coastal regions have greater ease in developing offshore wind, while other regions face environmental restrictions that limit onshore wind expansion”, explains SER’s Deputy General Delegate. At the same time, biogas development presents a promising opportunity, as agricultural production is evenly distributed across the country.

Another major obstacle is social opposition in some areas. “Local populations sometimes oppose these installations, whether due to landscape impact, noise, or simply lack of information,” adds Simon. Education and dialogue will be key to fostering public acceptance of these projects.

Energy Storage and Grid Modernization: Pending Solutions

One of the most critical challenges in renewable growth is the lack of synchronization between energy production and demand. “We have a lot of electricity production from nuclear and renewables, but not enough consumption,” warns Simon. This structural issue has led to price cannibalization, affecting the profitability of some technologies, particularly solar energy.

To address this challenge, the French government must accelerate its energy storage strategy and grid modernization. “It’s progressing very slowly, but will become increasingly important in the future,” Simon points out. France still lags behind Germany and the UK, which have made significant investments in batteries and demand management technologies.

The Role of SER in the Energy Transition

SER’s work has been crucial in structuring PPE and ensuring its regional implementation. The organization has secured representation in every regional energy committee, ensuring renewable energies have a voice in decision-making. “We have successfully gained representation in every regional energy committee, which is a great victory for us,” highlights Simon.

However, challenges remain, such as the case of Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, the only region where an energy committee has not yet been established due to political resistance.