Finalised French energy programme sets new goals long-awaited by renewable industry

With nearly 100,000 industrial jobs in the renewables sector in France, the delay has been a challenging one, but the publication of the republic’s third multiannual programme – via decree – finally releases the lock which the renewable industry had feared.

While the outcome represents a compromise – and one which will likely disappoint the renewables sector - enacting the PPE remained necessary both to keep the industry afloat and to continue decarbonising the nation.

What PPE3 entails

The strategy is built on a three‑pillar approach: energy sobriety; acceleration of renewable energies (electrical and non‑electrical); and strengthening of nuclear power. This latter point replaces a previous project which would have closed 14 of France’s 57 nuclear reactors, but which faced criticism from campaigners and environmental groups.

The programme is also marked by relatively limited ambition, notably due to flat energy demands, reminding us that for onshore wind and photovoltaics, support mechanisms cannot exceed the targets set under the previous program, the PPE2 (Decree 2020‑456) until 31 December 2028.

Sector by sector, there is a significantly lower target for photovoltaic generation. The March 2025 draft had set a 2030 target of 54 GW and up to 90 GW by 2035. The finalised version of the plan now looks for 49 to 59 GW by 2030, and up to 80 GW by 2035. The exact share of agrivoltaics – dual use of land for agriculture and solar energy generation – within the target remains to be determined.

Onshore wind targets are also less ambitious than initially planned and hoped for, though still close to earlier drafts: from an initial 33 GW in 2030 to 31 GW in the final plan, and from up to 45 GW in 2035 to a final range of 40 GW.

Article 3 of the decree, which states that repowering of existing wind farms is to be prioritised, formalises a doctrinal shift that had already been anticipated for several years.

The offshore wind target is relatively preserved, with expected targets of around 15 GW by 2035 and the upcoming launch of the tenth call for tenders.

For non‑electrical renewables, sustainable fuels are given specific attention with the first industrial units for producing advanced biofuels, particularly for aviation, expected to be deployed.

What this means for the energy sector

As a result of the decree, energy policy in France has at last regained a clear direction. It is now time to begin progress along this path into the implementation phase - launching tenders, accelerating grid connections, supporting the various sectors, and fine‑tuning system operation.

The publication of the PPE avoids the ‘de facto’ moratorium that the sector had feared, and provides developers and instructing authorities alike with a clear direction.

Some pitfalls remain, in particular the review clause allowing the PPE to be revised in 2027 – a year that will also see the presidential election in the spring.

The task now is to deploy the legal and commercial instruments required for effective implementation:

• launching of call for tenders without delay;
• setting out a clear timetable for tendering periods;
• clarifying the role and scope of agrivoltaics within the photovoltaics objectives;
• refining support schemes and incentives for flexibility mechanisms;
• encouraging the development of sustainable fuel production units.

PPE3 has finally been released after a long and politically complex journey. The path is set, it is now time to walk on it.