The year 2021 exceeds the previous record for connecting renewable energies

The total power of the EnR electricity fleet – wind, solar, hydroelectricity and bioenergy – amounted, as of September 30, 2021, to 58,759 MW, up 2,876 MW over the first three quarters of the year 2021 (3,543 MW over the last twelve months), a figure already higher than the annual record of 2017 (which amounted to 2,757 MW), in three months less.

According to the results from the Panorama of renewable electricity as of September 30, 2021, in the third quarter of 2021, 887 MW of new installations were connected to metropolitan electricity networks, with the solar and wind sectors accounting for 621 MW respectively and for 279 MW.

Renewable energies contributed 26.6% to covering electricity consumption in mainland France during the third quarter of 2021 (and 26% over the last twelve months) by producing 25.7 TWh of renewable electricity, a figure up 9.4% compared to the same quarter last year.

The wind farm reached 18,487 MW as of September 30, 2021 with 279 MW connected during the last quarter. Over one year, the growth amounts to 1,285 MW.

At the end of 2023, the Multiannual Energy Program (PPE) is targeting a 24,100 MW park for the onshore wind power sector. The rate of achievement of this objective currently stands at 76.6%.

Electricity production from wind power stood at 6.2 TWh over the past quarter, down 2% compared to the third quarter of 2020. The rate of consumption coverage by wind energy has improved. rose to 6.4% for this third quarter of 2021 (8.2% over the last twelve months).

The power of the solar park amounted to 12,329 MW as of September 30, 2021, with 621 MW connected during the third quarter of 2021. Over the last twelve months, 2,162 MW have been connected.

At the end of 2023, the PPE is aiming for a fleet of 20,100 MW, an objective which has currently been reached at 60.6%.

Photovoltaic electricity production stood at 4.8 TWh produced during the third quarter of 2021, up 9% compared to the same quarter in 2020 thanks to new connected capacities. The coverage rate of electricity consumption by solar energy thus stands at 5% for this quarter (2.9% over the last twelve months).

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The hydroelectric fleet reached a connected capacity of 25,498 MW (25,721 MW with Corsica), 19 MW over one year, but -16 MW over the quarter due to data corrections on the existing fleet.

At the end of 2023, the PPE is aiming for a fleet (excluding Corsica) of 25,700 MW, an objective achieved at 99.2%.

For mainland France, including Corsica, the sector produced 12.7 TWh of renewable electricity over the quarter, up 16% compared to the third quarter of 2020. The coverage rate of electricity consumption by renewable hydroelectricity stood at 13.1% for this quarter (13.2% over the last twelve months).

The electrical bioenergy sector reached a power of 2,222 MW with 3 MW of new capacity connected during the past quarter (and 77 MW over the last twelve months).

Quarterly production amounted to 2 TWh, a figure up 10% compared to the third quarter of 2020. The sector covers 2.1% of the electricity consumed during the past quarter (1.7% over the last twelve months).

In order to meet the objectives of the Energy-Climate Law of increasing the share of renewable energies in the electricity production mix to 40% by 2030, the transport and distribution networks continue to evolve to allow the integration of renewable electricity, while guaranteeing the safety and security of the electrical system, as well as the quality of supply to consumers.