Wind energy in France: Unlocking large-scale renewable potential

With a clear pathway toward carbon neutrality by 2050, France is intensifying its efforts to scale up wind energy as a central pillar of its green transition. Supported by long-term policy frameworks such as the Multiannual Energy Plan (PPE) and the National Low-Carbon Strategy (SNBC), the country is working to expand both onshore and offshore wind capacity over the coming decades.

Steady growth in onshore wind

As of late 2024, France’s installed onshore wind capacity stands at 23.1 GW, contributing approximately 11.3 percent of national electricity consumption. This share is expected to rise to between 10 and 15 percent by 2040, supported by an active project pipeline and increasing public and private investment. With 10,000 turbines expected to be operational by 2025, the onshore segment remains a vital part of France’s renewable energy mix.

Scaling up offshore wind and industrial capacity

Offshore wind is gaining momentum, with three wind farms connected to the grid by 2024 and a roadmap in place to reach 18 GW of installed offshore capacity by 2035. In parallel, France is building out a strong industrial base to support this expansion. Today, the country hosts one-third of Europe’s offshore wind turbine and electrical substation manufacturing capacity, positioning it as a key player in the European offshore value chain.

As the French wind sector continues to mature, the foundation is being laid for long-term green growth, job creation, and strengthened energy independence. With both political commitment and industrial capabilities in place, France offers a promising landscape for international partnerships within renewable energy development.

Decarbonising heat: A key pillar in France’s energy transition

Heat accounts for the largest share of final energy consumption in France, representing 45 percent in 2023 across residential, commercial and industrial sectors. Today, approximately 60 percent of this demand is still met by fossil fuels, making the decarbonisation of heat a strategic priority on France’s path to climate neutrality by 2050.

To meet this challenge, France is implementing a three-pronged approach:

• Reducing energy consumption through energy efficiency measures

• Scaling up district heating to centralise and optimise distribution

• Increasing the use of waste heat and renewable energy sources

A decade of impact through the Heat Fund

Since its launch in 2009, the national Heat Fund has played a central role in accelerating the deployment of renewable and recovered heat. More than 8,500 installations have been supported, delivering a combined production capacity of 45.4 TWh per year. According to the French energy agency ADEME, the scheme is among the most cost-effective climate instruments, with a public support cost of just €36 per tonne of CO₂ avoided. The fund has also proven a strong lever for regional development, mobilising nearly €14 billion in total investments – almost four times the amount of public aid provided.

District heating on the rise

In recent years, renewable energy has overtaken natural gas as the leading energy source in France’s district heating networks. Between 2012 and 2022, the share of renewables more than doubled – from 22 percent to 49 percent – while the use of fossil fuels such as fuel oil and coal has declined sharply.

Today, heat recovery from waste incineration accounts for around 30 percent of the energy mix in district networks. Biomass leads among renewables with 27 percent, followed by geothermal energy (5 percent) and other sources including industrial waste heat, solar thermal and heat pumps.

With nearly 950 district heating networks in operation and rising political momentum, the sector stands as a key enabler of local, low-carbon heat – offering scalable solutions that combine environmental impact with economic opportunity.

Power-to-X in France: Building momentum for low-carbon hydrogen and e-fuels

Hydrogen is gaining strategic importance in France’s green transition, with the country working to shift from fossil-based production to low-carbon alternatives. In 2022, dedicated hydrogen production in France reached nearly 400,000 tonnes, primarily used in refining, industrial heating and as feedstock in the chemical sector. Most of this hydrogen is produced on-site or as a by-product, with only 15 percent entering the market through existing offtake agreements.

Today, fossil-based hydrogen accounts for 94 percent of domestic consumption. To accelerate decarbonisation, the French Government aims to replace at least half of this with low-carbon hydrogen by 2030 – equivalent to around 700,000 tonnes annually. This shift aligns with broader expectations that national hydrogen demand will rise to 1.4 million tonnes per year in the 2030s.

Electrolysis capacity and industrial scaling

To meet growing demand, France targets 4.5 GW of installed electrolysis capacity by 2030, rising to 8 GW by 2035. This capacity is intended primarily for industrial uses, though emerging applications in mobility and electricity production are also part of the roadmap. As of 2024, France has 35 MW of operational electrolysis capacity, with a further 315 MW under development. The supporting industrial base includes 23 manufacturing facilities involved in producing key components such as electrolysers, batteries and hydrogen storage systems.

E-fuels: Supporting hard-to-abate sectors

E-fuels are also on the rise, with nine large-scale projects under development in France – each with a production capacity exceeding 50,000 tonnes per year. These synthetic fuels are expected to play a vital role in decarbonising hard-to-abate sectors such as chemicals, aviation and maritime transport. While they require significant inputs of renewable electricity, water and carbon, the resource needs are considered manageable within France’s energy strategy.

A growing hydrogen economy

Looking ahead, the French hydrogen sector is projected to generate over 65,000 full-time jobs and an annual turnover of €32 billion by 2035. With strong political backing and industrial momentum, France is positioning itself as a key European hub for Power-to-X technologies and green industrial solutions.