On August 5, French energy regulator CRE announced the capacity quotas and bidding terms for the latest series of renewable energy tenders under its multi-year energy procurement program PPE2. The technologies that are covered under the tenders include solar PV, onshore wind, and hydropower.
Around 1,640MW of generation capacity will be distributed across six rounds of tenders. Four rounds are for the following categories of PV projects: self-consumption PV projects (50MW), ground-mounted PV power plants (700MW), innovative PV projects without energy storage (140MW), and BIPV for greenhouses and carparks (300MW). As for onshore wind projects, the tendered capacity is 700MW. Additionally, there is a 500MW tender that is open to both PV and wind project developers.
The bid submission deadline for tenders related to self-consumption PV projects and onshore wind projects is set for this November 26. The deadlines for BIPV projects and innovative PV projects are set for this October 22 and 26 respectively. The deadline for PV power plants and the mixed tender is set for this December 23.
In its announcement, CRE states that the tendered capacity for self-consumption PV projects may expand further to 100MW if the number of eligible projects surpasses the initial target. Looking specifically at self-consumption PV projects, the French government will be making 14 tender calls of 50MW each (including this one) from now to 2026. Turning to ground-mounted PV power plants, 10 tender calls (including this one) will be made from now to 2026. The allocated capacity for each of the next nine tender calls for ground-mounted PV power plants is set at 925MW.
Regarding onshore wind projects, 10 tender calls (including this one) will be made from now to 2026. The one that was announced on August 5 has a capacity of 700MW, but it can be raised to 925MW. Each of the next nine calls will also have a capacity of 925MW. As for mixed tenders, five tender calls (including this one) will be made from now to 2026. The capacity of each call is set at 500MW, for a total of 2,500MW.
Based on the reporting by renewable energy news websites, France aims to increase its renewable generation capacity by more than 70% from the 2014 level and have renewable energies comprise at least 32% of the domestic final energy consumption by 2030. These targets are to be achieved through PPE2, which will last from 2019 to 2028. Projects under the program will secure a FIT agreement and may be further supported by an additional compensation scheme.