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:

Gain full professional access to energynews.pro from 4.90£/month.
Designed for decision-makers, with no long-term commitment.

Over 30,000 articles published since 2021.
150 new market analyses every week to decode global energy trends.

Monthly Digital PRO PASS

Immediate Access
4.90£/month*

No commitment – cancel anytime, activation in 2 minutes.

START NOW — 4.90£/month

*Special launch offer: 1st month at the indicated price, then 14.90 £/month, no long-term commitment.

Annual Digital PRO Pass

Full Annual Access
99£/year*

To access all of energynews.pro without any limits

SUBSCRIBE — 99£/year

*Introductory annual price for year one, automatically renewed at 149.00 £/year from the second year.

Sign up for free to unlock this article

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
Cenovus raises offer for MEG Energy to $29.80 per share with new mixed structure
United States: Senate confirms two nominees, shifting FERC to Republican majority
Iberdrola adds 708 MW of solar capacity to joint venture with Norges Bank
EDF power solutions and El Paso Electric launch 150 MW solar facility in New Mexico
TotalEnergies sells Norwegian oil assets to Vår Energi to reduce debt
Africa aims for local transformation to gain weight in the global energy economy
Opportunities are emerging for African countries to move from extraction to industrial manufacturing in energy technology value chains, as the 2025 G20 discussions highlight these issues.
Global renewable capacity set to double by 2030, led by solar power
According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), global renewable power capacity could more than double by 2030, driven by the rise of solar photovoltaics despite supply chain pressures and evolving policy frameworks.
Algeria commits $60 billion to strengthen its energy strategy by 2029
Algeria plans to allocate $60 billion to energy projects by 2029, primarily targeting upstream oil and gas, while developing petrochemicals, renewables and unconventional resources.
China’s clean tech exports reach $20bn in August
China set a record for clean technology exports in August, driven by surging sales of electric vehicles and batteries, with more than half of the growth coming from non-OECD markets.
Ukrainian strike cuts power to 5,400 homes in Belgorod region
A night-time attack on Belgorod’s power grid left thousands without electricity, according to Russian local authorities, despite partial service restoration the following morning.
French Academy of Sciences warns of economic risks linked to solar geoengineering
The French Academy of Sciences calls for a global ban on solar radiation modification, citing major risks to climate stability and the world economy.
Federal shutdown threatens permit delays and energy projects in the United States
The halt of US federal services disrupts the entire decision-making chain for energy and mining projects, with growing risks of administrative delays and missing critical data.
US energy agencies prepare to suspend operations amid budget deadlock
Facing a potential federal government shutdown, multiple US energy agencies are preparing to suspend services and furlough thousands of employees.
EMBER: Chile could save $15mn annually by reducing renewable energy losses
A report reveals the economic impact of renewable energy losses in Chile, indicating that a 1% drop in curtailments could generate $15mn in annual savings.
Denmark increases energy security after unidentified drone flyovers
Faced with growing threats to its infrastructure, Denmark raises its energy alert level in response to a series of unidentified drone flyovers and ongoing geopolitical tensions.
France: Lecornu rules out a freeze on solar and wind power
The Prime Minister dismissed rumours of a moratorium on renewables, as the upcoming energy roadmap triggers tensions within the sector.
Kuwait adds 14 GW of power capacity by 2031 to avoid shortages
Kuwait plans to develop 14.05 GW of new power capacity by 2031 to meet growing demand and reduce scheduled outages, driven by extreme temperatures and maintenance delays.
Ignite Power joins the $270 million Pro Energia+ programme in Mozambique
The partnership with the World Bank-funded Pro Energia+ programme aims to expand electricity access in Mozambique by targeting rural communities through a results-based financing mechanism.
Brussels imposes a new fee system for monitoring energy markets
The European Commission strengthens ACER’s funding through a new fee structure applied to reporting entities, aimed at supporting increased surveillance of wholesale energy market transactions.
EDF faces €460bn investment programme as Court of Auditors warns the state
France’s Court of Auditors is urging clarity on EDF’s financing structure, as the public utility confronts a €460bn investment programme through 2040 to support its new nuclear reactor rollout.
Washington to return $13bn in unobligated energy transition funds
The U.S. Department of Energy will return more than $13bn in unspent funds originally allocated to climate initiatives, in line with the Trump administration’s new budget policy.
Trump threatens IEA with withdrawal if anti-oil stance is not revised
Under pressure from Washington, the International Energy Agency reintroduces a pro-fossil scenario in its report, marking a shift in its direction amid rising tensions with the Trump administration.
Southeast Asia’s power demand drives massive integration of solar and wind
Southeast Asia, facing rapid electricity consumption growth, could tap up to 20 terawatts of solar and wind potential to strengthen energy security.
France: Emmanuelle Wargon takes the helm of ACER’s Board of Regulators
The President of the Energy Regulatory Commission was elected to the presidency of the Board of Regulators of the Agency for the Cooperation of Energy Regulators for a two-and-a-half-year term.
Australia sets emissions reduction target of 62 to 70% by 2035
The Australian government has announced a new climate target backed by a funding plan, while maintaining its position as a major coal exporter, raising questions about its long-term energy strategy.