Climate conditions (wind regimes), environmental constraints and local political priorities explain the differences between wind power development rates. The two regions that have the most wind capacity installed are Hauts-de-France (4 GW) and Grand-Est (3.37 GW). Capacity was increased by more than 10% in six regions between 2017 and 2018.
Wind energy has developed in the different regions thanks, among other factors, to favourable local climate conditions that guarantee certain wind speeds and thus a higher average capacity factor. Wind zones in mainland France can be divided into four homogeneous areas. Windy periods within a defined wind zone tend to occur at the same time and be of similar intensity. Significant differences are observed between patterns in the four zones. It is this diversity across the country that makes it possible to have wind turbines operating virtually all the time in France.
Density is a calculation of wind capacity per square kilometre in each region. The Hauts-de-France region has the most installed capacity and the highest density. Occitanie ranks third in terms of capacity but seventh in terms of density, below the national average of 27.4 kW per square kilometre.
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The map below shows the wind power targets set forth in France’s regional climate-air-energy plans, aggregated according to the new administrative regions and taking into account region-specific climate, environmental and policy considerations.
By 2019, the regional climate-air-energy plans will be integrated into the regional plans for land use, sustainable development and territorial equality (schémas régionaux d’aménagement, de développement durable et d’égalité des territoires – SRADDET) created by Law 2015-991, known as the NOTRe Act.
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Coverage of demand by wind power reached 5.8% in the French regions and exceeded 10% in the Hauts-de-France, Grand-Est and Centre-Val de Loire regions.
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