France made significant progress in renewable energy by 2025, with renewables comprising 30.6% of its energy mix, a 3% increase from 2024. This upward trend is expected to continue, potentially reaching 38% by 2030. Key contributors to this growth include solar power, which has met its 2023 targets, and wind power, which is on track to meet its 2025 goals. However, hydropower, while still a major contributor, is seeing its share decrease due to slower growth.
Solar Power Expansion in France renewable energy
In the first quarter of 2025, France added 1,078 megawatts (MW) of new solar power capacity, representing a 21% increase compared to the same period in 2024. According to PVKnowhow, France added an impressive 1.4 GW of new solar capacity in Q1 2025. This growth was driven by the installation of 62,000 new solar projects, bringing the total to over 760,000. The cumulative capacity of solar energy reached 22.6 gigawatts (GW), marking a 23% increase from the previous year.
France added 1,078 MW of new solar power capacity in the first quarter of 2025, boosting its total solar capacity to 22.6 GW.
The distribution of solar capacity across different regions was uneven. Nouvelle-Aquitaine led the way with 4.6 GW of capacity, followed by Occitanie and Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes with 4.5 GW and 3.3 GW, respectively. The Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur region had 2.6 GW, while the Grand-Est and Pays de la Loire regions each had over 1.6 GW.
Despite the rapid growth, solar energy faced challenges in 2024. Construction delays impacted 1.7 GW of capacity, while another 1.1 GW was affected by procedural delays. These issues underscored the need for streamlined processes to support the continued growth of solar energy in France.
Wind Power Growth in France renewable energy
France’s wind energy sector also showed strong growth, with 1,777 MW of new capacity added in 2024. This brought the total wind power capacity to 22.5 GW. The regional distribution of wind capacity was led by the Grand-Est region with 5.6 GW, followed by Hauts-de-France with 5 GW, and Centre-Val de Loire with 3 GW.
In the first quarter of 2025, wind energy generation increased by 13.5% compared to the same period in 2024. France produced 21.4 terawatt-hours (TWh) of wind energy, slightly behind Germany’s 21.8 TWh. This growth in wind power was supported by ongoing investments in new wind farms and upgrades to existing facilities.
Hydropower and Other France renewable energy
Hydropower remains a significant part of France’s renewable energy mix, accounting for 57.5% of the total renewable electricity production in the first quarter of 2025. However, its share has been gradually decreasing as other renewable sources, particularly solar and wind, have grown more rapidly. In 2024, renewable electricity production reached 142 TWh, a 13% increase from 2023. Hydropower contributed 71.5 TWh to this total, followed by wind at 45.4 TWh, solar at 20.2 TWh, and biomass at 4.6 TWh.
Challenges and Prospects for France renewable energy
Despite the progress, France faces challenges in meeting its renewable energy targets. The European Union’s goal for 2030 is for renewables to account for 42.5% of the energy mix. France’s current trajectory suggests it will need to accelerate its efforts to meet this target.
One of the major challenges is reducing reliance on imported fossil fuels. In 2024, fossil fuel imports into the European Union reached 3,300 TWh, highlighting the need for increased domestic renewable energy production. To address this, France plans to invest 1.5 billion euros in new renewable energy projects by 2026.
The French government’s commitment to renewable energy is evident in its policy initiatives. In April 2023, President Emmanuel Macron announced plans to double the country’s solar power capacity by 2030 and increase wind power by 50%. These targets are ambitious but necessary for France to meet its renewable energy goals and reduce its carbon footprint.
Looking Ahead for France renewable energy
As France continues to expand its renewable energy capacity, it is expected that the share of renewables in the energy mix will continue to grow. The success of solar and wind power projects will be crucial in achieving the country’s renewable energy targets. Additionally, investments in energy storage and grid infrastructure will be essential to support the integration of renewable energy into the national grid.
France’s progress in renewable energy by 2025 demonstrates its commitment to a sustainable energy future. The continued growth of solar, wind, and other renewables will be vital for meeting national and European Union energy targets. With the right policies and investments, France is well-positioned to become a leader in renewable energy in Europe.
