SUBSCRIBE
PROFILE

Renewable energies accounted for 33.9% of electricity consumption in France in 2024

In 2024, renewable energies covered 33.9% of electricity consumption in metropolitan France, driven by increased hydropower output and solar capacity expansion.

Share:

Subscribe for unlimited access to all energy sector news.

Over 150 multisector articles and analyses every week.

Your 1st year at 99 €*

then 199 €/year

SUBSCRIBE — 99 € for the 1st year

Create a free account to read this article

*renews at 199€/year, cancel anytime before renewal.

Renewable electricity production in France reached 150 TWh in 2024, representing a 10.6% increase compared to 2023. This growth is mainly attributed to higher hydropower output, supported by favourable hydrological conditions, and a significant rise in installed solar capacities.

Installed capacities see strong growth

By the end of 2024, the total renewable electricity capacity, including hydropower, solar photovoltaic, onshore wind, offshore wind, and bioenergy, stood at 76.7 GW. This marks an annual increase of more than 6.7 GW. Solar contributed the most with an additional 4,961 MW, followed by onshore wind (+1,091 MW) and offshore wind (+665 MW).

Renewable production covered 33.9% of electricity consumption in metropolitan France. In comparison, it accounted for 27.8% of total national electricity production from all sources.

Solar increases, onshore wind declines

Installed solar capacity reached 24,333 MW as of 31 December 2024, an increase of 3,137 MW over the previous year. It generated 24.8 TWh, or 5.7% of national consumption, up 10.3% year-on-year. This contribution varies by season, peaking in the summer.

Onshore wind, despite growing to 22,875 MW in installed capacity, saw production fall to 42.8 TWh in 2024, down 12.6% from 2023. The technology covered 9.6% of electricity consumption in metropolitan France.

Offshore wind reaches new milestone

Offshore wind produced 4 TWh in 2024, a 111.2% increase compared to the previous year. This rise is linked to the ramp-up of the Saint-Brieuc, Fécamp, and Saint-Nazaire wind farms, which now total 1,508 MW in capacity. Offshore wind accounted for 0.9% of national consumption, with further growth underway.

Hydropower dominates renewable output

The hydropower fleet, with a stable capacity of 25,716 MW, generated 69.8 TWh in 2024, a 27.3% increase. It remains the leading renewable electricity source in France, covering 15.8% of metropolitan consumption. The performance reflects particularly favourable hydrological conditions during the year.

Bioenergy: limited but steady contribution

The bioenergy electricity sector, including energy recovery from waste, had a capacity of 2,272 MW. It generated 8.5 TWh in 2024, a slight increase of 1.5% compared to the previous year. It accounted for 1.9% of national electricity consumption.

These results are taken from the Panorama de l’électricité renouvelable as of 31 December 2024, published by the Syndicat des énergies renouvelables (SER), Réseau de Transport d’Électricité (RTE), Enedis, and Agence ORE (Opérateurs de Réseaux d’Énergie).

  • Popular on energynews.pro
The United States Sanctions Greek Shipper for Iranian Oil Trafficking
Metacon confirms partial delivery and receives EUR 14.9 million
Soluna crosses one gigawatt milestone with two new data centres in Texas
TWAICE rolls out analytics tools across 290 MWh of storage at Fullmark Energy
Canadian Utilities secures AUC approval for Yellowhead gas pipeline project
Seoul Imposes 25% Cut in Petrochemical Capacity to Stabilize the Sector
The South Korean government compels ten petrochemical groups to cut up to 3.7 million tons of naphtha cracking per year, tying financial and tax support to swift and documented restructuring measures.
Washington extends emergency orders to strengthen Puerto Rico’s power grid
The U.S. Department of Energy has extended until November the emergency measures aimed at ensuring the stability of Puerto Rico’s power grid against overload risks and recurring outages.
Modi Defends India’s Energy Autonomy Amid U.S. Tariff Pressure
Under threat of increased U.S. tariffs, New Delhi is accelerating its energy independence strategy to reduce reliance on imports, particularly Russian oil.
800-Million-Dollar Agreement: Tsingshan Triggers an Energy Recomposition in Zimbabwe
With a new $800 million investment agreement, Tsingshan expands the Manhize steel plant and generates an energy demand of more than 500 MW, forcing Zimbabwe to accelerate its electricity strategy.
United States: Batteries Offset Solar and Wind Slowdown in 2025
U.S. electric storage capacity will surge 68% this year according to Cleanview, largely offsetting the slowdown in solar and wind projects under the Trump administration.
Massive power outage in Iraq after losing 6,000 MW of capacity
A nationwide blackout left Iraq without electricity for several hours, affecting almost the entire country due to record consumption linked to an extreme heatwave.
US Investigates Solar Imports from India, Indonesia and Laos
Washington launches antidumping procedures against three Asian countries. Margins up to 190% identified. Final decisions expected April 2026 with major supply chain impacts.
Russian oil and gas revenues fall by 27% in July 2025
Revenues generated by oil and gas in Russia recorded a significant decrease in July, putting direct pressure on the country’s budget balance according to official figures.
United States reaches two historic electricity demand peaks in July 2025
U.S. electricity consumption reached unprecedented levels in the last week of July, driven by a heatwave and the growth of industrial activity.
New York Power Authority unveils 7GW plan for public investments in renewable energy
The New York Power Authority targets nearly 7GW of capacity with a plan featuring 20 renewable projects and 156 storage initiatives, marking a new phase for public investment in the State.
French Guiana targets electric autonomy with 120 MW biomass plant by 2026
French Guiana plans to achieve a fully decarbonised power mix by 2027, driven by the construction of a biomass plant and expansion of renewable energy on its territory.
Ember: Slow national ambitions hinder global tripling of renewables
The progress of national targets for renewable energy remains marginal, with only a 2% increase since COP28, threatening the achievement of the tripling of capacity by 2030 and impacting energy security.
Department of Energy report questions economic impact of CO2 and reach of US climate policies
A Department of Energy report states that US actions on greenhouse gases would have a limited global impact, while highlighting a gap between perceptions and the economic realities of global warming.
The MENA renewable energy market will reach USD59.9 bn in 2030 driven by hydrogen and solar
Investments in renewable energy across the Middle East and North Africa are expected to reach USD59.9 bn by 2030, fuelled by national strategies, the rise of solar, green hydrogen, and new regional industrial projects.
Global electricity demand set for robust growth until 2026 despite economic pressures
Global electricity demand is projected to grow steadily through 2026, driven by industrial expansion, data centres, electric mobility and air conditioning, with increasing contributions from renewables, natural gas and nuclear power.
Electricity demand reaches 2,362 MW in Kenya as KenGen focuses on renewables
Kenya registers a historic record in electricity consumption, driven by industrial growth and a strong contribution from geothermal and hydropower plants operated by Kenya Electricity Generating Company PLC.
European industrial energy demand hits new low in 2023
Final energy consumption in the European industrial sector dropped by 5% in 2023, reaching a level not seen in three decades, with renewables taking a growing role in certain key segments.
France: RTE launches public debate over €90 billion grid investment
Réseau de transport d’électricité is planning a long-term modernisation of its infrastructure. A national public debate will begin on September 4 to address implementation methods, challenges and conditions.
Spanish lawmakers reject Pedro Sánchez’s plan to prevent major power outages
The Spanish Parliament has rejected a package of reforms aimed at preventing another major power outage, plunging the national energy sector into uncertainty and revealing the fragility of the government's majority.
The United States sides with Argentina in YPF dispute
The U.S. government has supported Argentina’s request for a temporary suspension of an order to hand over its stake in YPF, a 16.1 billion USD judgment aimed at satisfying creditors.

Log in to read this article

You'll also have access to a selection of our best content.

or

Go unlimited with our annual offer: €99 for the 1styear year, then € 199/year.

SUBSCRIBE - €99