The main measures of the renewable energy acceleration bill which should be voted on today in the Assembly

Ambitious goals

In France, which has long relied on the power of its nuclear fleet, renewable energies represent only 19,3% of gross final energy consumption, a lower share than elsewhere in Europe and already below the target set for 2020 of 23%.

To the climate emergency, the war in Ukraine has now added the threat of a "blackout", making it necessary for the government to change the scale.

For 2050, President Emmanuel Macron has set himself the objectives of multiplying by ten the production capacity of solar energy to exceed 100 GW, and to deploy 50 wind farms at sea to reach 40 GW.

Reduced lead times

It takes on average in France 5 years of procedures to build a solar farm, 7 years for a wind farm and 10 years for an offshore wind farm.

The text provides for temporary adaptations of administrative procedures to simplify and speed up the implementation of projects, the objective being to significantly shorten deployment times.

In particular, the government wants to reduce certain remedies, by recognizing an "imperative reason of major public interest (RIIPM)" for renewable energy projects.

Municipal planning and approval

It was one of the most sensitive subjects of the text.

After a compromise found in the Senate, the municipalities will be able to bring up - in an "ascending" planning system - the priority acceleration zones for deploying renewable energy projects. For the application phase of these "conducive" zones, the approval of the mayor will be required.

The measure has tensed the left, which fears the return of the "veto of the mayors" demanded by LR deputies for the whole territory.

With the exception of rooftop production processes, these areas cannot be included in national parks and nature reserves, the Assembly said.

Acceptability

The Assembly adopted at first reading environmental amendments to set up an observatory and a mediator for renewable energies.

For better “acceptability”, the deputies added to the text a landscape objective encouraging communities to “take care to limit the effects of visual saturation”, in particular wind turbines.

In order to better distribute renewable energies on the territory, the text makes possible a tariff modulation which would encourage project promoters to settle in areas with a priori less favorable natural conditions.

More space for solar

The bill facilitates the installation of photovoltaic panels near highways and major roads. It makes it possible to derogate from the Coastal law, in a very constrained framework, for the installation of panels in "wastelands". It also facilitates setting up in mountain communities.

It imposes the gradual equipment of outdoor car parks of more than 1.500 m2 with photovoltaic carports.

The wind takes to the sea

The bill proposes to pool public debates on the location of offshore wind farm projects "to improve spatial planning" and accelerate their development.

During the session, the Assembly rejected LR amendments demanding that settlement areas be located at a minimum distance of 40 km from the shore.

However, “priority targets will be favorable areas located in the exclusive economic zone”, i.e. a little more than 22 km from the coast, and outside national parks with a maritime part.

Redistribution

On the proposal of the Socialists, the Assembly waived a principle of rebate on the bill of residents of renewable energies. MEPs favor broader territorial measures such as funds to help low-income households in fuel poverty or to finance projects in favor of biodiversity.

Agrivoltaism

The text intends to define "agrivoltaism", combining agricultural exploitation and electricity production, for example with solar panels mounted on feet, allowing the cultivation or even the passage of animals. Agricultural production should remain "the main activity" or the installations should be "reversible".