Debate open for six months on the use of the sea and the growth of wind power

The consultation, called "the sea in debate", was to begin Monday in Normandy with a first debate with students from the IUT of Alencon; it will continue throughout France, on all maritime coastlines, indicates the National Commission for Public Debate (CNDP).

This debate, organized by the independent authority, is the very first conducted on the future of the sea and its challenges, on the scale of the country and its four facades.

Until now, a more limited public debate was organized for each marine wind farm project. This will no longer be the case from now on.

The objective of this vast "and unique" debate is to "enable anyone, whether a coastal resident or not, to take part in the development of the choices that will be made in 2024 on the future of the sea and its biodiversity. , coastlines and offshore wind power in mainland France", explains the CNDP. “The opportunity to learn about these issues and to influence the future of the sea and coastlines to better protect and share it.”

In 2024, the State must update the “Strategic Façade Documents” (DSF), planning documents intended, among other things, to protect the environment, regulate the cohabitation of activities and identify priority areas for wind power in sea ​​within ten years and potentially by 2050.

The debate will be held until April 26. Meetings are planned all along the coast, in Marseille, Ouistreham, Brest, via Arcachon or Saint-Brieuc: mobile debates on the markets of Ile-Rousse, Pornic or Courseulles-sur-Mer, public meetings, cinema -debates, scientific exchanges, workshops, online round tables...

Since Emmanuel Macron's speech on energy at the start of 2022, France has a target of 40 to 45 gigawatts (GW) of offshore wind power in 2050, or around fifty parks.