France

Wind Energy in France

In the estimation of the Global Wind Energy Council (GWEC), France has the second-largest potential among European countries for further expansion of wind energy.  According to the World Wind Energy Association, the good distribution of the numerous promising sites across the country is a major advantage.
Major Potential for Expansion
With about 6,300 megawatts of installed wind power capacity (as of midyear 2011) France is placed fourth in the European rankings − behind Germany, Spain and Italy.  Since 2008, the annual increase in installed wind power capacity amounts to about 1,000 megawatts.

Political Goals
According to the standards of the European Union, France must increase the share of renewable energies in total energy requirement to 23% by 2020. To reach this goal, the French government set a target to increase wind power capacity to 25,000 megawatts (6,000 megawatts of these offshore) by 2020. Compared to the past years, the expansion of wind energy has to be significantly increased to achieve this aim. Otherwise, France may miss the climate targets set by the European Union.

The Important Role of Nuclear Power
Compared to its status in Germany, for example, nuclear power plays a much more important role in France. 80 percent of the power demand is covered by nuclear power. Nonetheless, the nuclear catastrophe of Fukushima in March 2011 has also shaken the French’s confidence in this technology.

Administration hindered many projects
In 2010, France changed its legislation and authorization standards for renewable energy. Already prior to this step authorization processes had been delayed and some applications rejected without a convincing explanation. As a early as 2007, a study conducted by the ministry of economy showed that the French authorities required 9 weeks on average just to inform an applicant that the authorization process had begun. According to the study, an average of 19 months elapsed before authorisation could be finalized.  Overall, the restrictive authorization procedures and part of the legislation stand in opposition to the French government's goals for the expansion of wind power.

Hope for Grenelle 2
In 2011, the environmental law Grenelle 2 came into effect. It classifies wind parks as potential threats for the environment and requires additional reports and permits. However, improvements are expected despite the extra effort caused by the law. In the past, the prefect as permit authority had much decision-making leeway. The increased regulation should now also involve an objectification of the procedure and hence more legal security.

---

ABO Wind SARL

ABO Wind has been active in France since 2002 and has connected 14 wind parks with 144 megawatts to the grid to date.  Assac in the Tarn department was finalized in 2011. 30 French colleagues currently work in ABO Wind's four branches in Toulouse, Orléans, Nantes and Lunel Viel. Six of these colleagues are responsible for the operation management of the existing wind parks. It is planed to expand service in cooperation with partners.

Investment Opportunities for Citizens
The wind park Cuq is part of ABO Invest’s portfolio. With about 20 percent, ABO Wind is the largest shareholder of ABO Invest. The remaining shares are held by about 1,000 investors. Shares (WKN A1EWXA) can be acquired daily at the Düsseldorf and Frankfurt stock exchanges.


Local Energy Provider
The wind farm Berviller was sold to a local energy provider in 2009. For ABO Wind, cooperation with regional players who put local power supply on a sustainable basis has model character. We expect to execute more projects of this kind in France in the coming years.

Excellent Prospects

Currently ABO Wind's French planners are working on projects with over 700 megawatts. Our medium-term goal is to connect more than 50 megawatts to the grid per year.  Given the large potential for wind power, the environmental protection goals and the good position of our company in the French market, this aim should be well achievable.