Regions must now draw up renewables plan.

The first of the policies developed two years ago at the Grenelle de l'Environment - a national summit to formulate government environment policy - has become into law. Reaching the statute books last month, Grenelle 1, as it was dubbed, sets out the broad policy and confirms France's European commitment that by 2020 at least 23% of final energy consumption will come from renewable resources. To meet this target, wind is expected to provide around 25 GW of installed capacity, of which 6 GW will be offshore.

The policy confirms that each region of France must draw up a "renewable energy plan" by July 2010, identifying its potential and establishing where wind power plant can be built. It also states that improvements will be made to the grid to increase the uptake of renewable energies.

Research will prioritise renewable energies, and EUR 1 billion will be allocated to sustainable development research - including climate change and "energies for the future". The policy also stipulates that the amount spent on research into clean technologies and protecting the environment will gradually increase to equal that spent on civil nuclear research.

The approval of the final version of Grenelle 2, the crucial piece of legislation that will specify the policies will be implemented, is expected by the end of the year. Meanwhile French president Sarkozy confirmed his support for the Grenelle policy, saying that renewable energy will dominate the government's agenda. According to the European climate target he added "We are at 10% today; we will be at 23% in 2020".

source: Wind Power Monthly, No. 9, Sep 09, p. 40