Wind power advocates write to Emmanuel Macron to denounce disinformation

"The attacks on wind power are today built around inaccurate and sometimes deliberately misleading statements, the arguments are relayed without restraint, discrediting the work of many grassroots associations, communities, workers and citizens. We cannot accept that the debate is thus caricatured ", they write.

Among the signatories are the president of the Brittany Region Loïg Chesnais-Girard (PS), the Grand Est Jean Rottner (LR), the vice-president of France Nature Environnement Jean-David Abel, Yann Arthus-Bertrand, the CEO of Enercoop Amandine Albizzati, or the president of the association of communities Amorce Gilles Vincent.

"Any change generates questions and sometimes criticism; it is the very heart of our rule of law. However, in the field of wind power, some organizations have abandoned constructive criticism in favor of disinformation, anxiety-provoking rumors", they note , denouncing a practice of "intimidation and insult".

"From strong discussions we have moved on to violent exchanges, with the names of leaders thrown into the pasture on the networks, our work denigrated", described to AFP Nicolas Wolff, president of France Energie Eolienne, signatory.

"The idea is to ask the president to be the arbiter of a debate based on facts," he said.

"Today the debate is not + is it necessary for wind power? + Because the multi-year energy program has decided in this direction. But a debate at the level of the territories on the establishment", underlines Jean- Louis Bal, president of the Renewable Energies Union (SER).

The statement by Mr. Macron, who in January in Pau assured that "more and more people no longer want to see wind power near their homes", "stimulated opponents, in particular elected officials of a fairly high level", he regrets. He cites the case of LR deputy Jean-Marc Le Fur who before the National Assembly denounced in Iberdrola "a company linked to the mafias". "This is unacceptable," says Mr. Bal.

A majority of projects are also subject to appeal. "80% of the procedures are rejected, but each time a year and a half is lost", notes Mr. Wolff.

"Let us carry together the energy transition", say the signatories, adding that wind power "is built on local membership and forming" the wish to be able "to meet the Head of State.

The share of wind power in France should drop from 7% of electricity production today to 20% in 2028.