France Energy Dashboard

Grid Summary

France has centred its RES approach around feed-in tariffs on the one hand, and a tendering procedure on the other. Hydro power has traditionally been important for electricity generation, and the country ranks second when it comes to biofuel production, although the biofuels target for 2005 was not met. France has vast resources of wind, geothermal energy and biomass, and wind power and geothermal electricity have shown growth. In addition, there exists potential in the area of solid biomass. France is currently ranked 2nd highest in the EU in terms of biofuel production and use. A continued increase in the level of production (502 ktoe in 2005 compared to 306 ktoe in 1997) helps consolidate this position. Only a minor part of these efforts result in the production of bioethanol (64 ktoe), biodiesel being the main product (492 ktoe).. Initiative…more information.

France faces an energy import dependency close to average EU levels, with the majority of imports being oil. The share of gas, also imported, has been steadily increasing in recent years. Electricity production in France is dominated by nuclear energy which amounts approximately to 78% and hydropower. Renewable sources such as biomass and hydro, participate to a significant extent to the energy mix. However, France is developing policies aimed at a more diversified mix increasing wind and photovoltaic electricity, solar energy for heat and biofuels. France has the second biggest potential in the EU in terms of wind energy and a very good potential in terms of solar and geothermal energy. All Renewable energy sectors have features in 2006 significant growth rates. Despite these growth rates, the share of renewable energy in the energy mix does not increase as energy demand has been growing steadily...more information.