France has reached a significant milestone in its renewable energy endeavors, with the recent conclusion of an auction that awarded a substantial 1.5GW of ground-mounted solar photovoltaic (PV) capacity. This achievement represents the most extensive capacity ever awarded in a single tender since the initiation of the Programmation Pluriannuelle de l'Energie (PPE) scheme.
A total of 129 projects emerged victorious in this competitive bidding process, securing their place in the nation's solar energy landscape. The average price for these successful projects stood at €82.42/MWh (US$97.43/MWh), demonstrating the cost-effectiveness of solar PV technology. Notably, the tender received proposals for 1.519GW, slightly oversubscribed for the available 1.5GW capacity. The eligibility for participation extended to projects ranging from 500kWp to 30MWp in capacity, with some location-specific criteria enabling the removal of certain capacity restrictions, such as deployment on wasteland or old quarries.
To provide context, the previous tender round had allocated a mere 115MW of solar capacity to seven projects, with an average price of €82.23/MWh.
Renewables consulting firm Finergreen reported that a substantial portion of the winning projects, approximately two-thirds, were located in Northern France. These projects boasted an average size nearly double that of those awarded in the South, standing at 18.0MW compared to 10.4MW in the Southern regions. Land availability and pressures were cited as likely factors contributing to this regional distribution.
Among the regions, Hauts-de-France and Centre-Val de Loire emerged as leaders in the allocation of new capacity, securing 230.9MW and 225MW, respectively. In contrast, Bretagne and Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur received fewer allocations, while Normandie celebrated its first PPE-tendered ground-mount PV projects, including two 4MW facilities and one 29.5MW installation.
The companies awarded capacity in this landmark auction were led by Photosol with 257.1MW, followed by Neoen with 226.1MW and EDF with 143.7MW. A total of 38 developers successfully secured capacity, underscoring the diversity of players in France's solar energy sector.
Guillaume Decaen, French development director of Neoen, expressed his satisfaction, stating, “Once again, we have been ranked among the top winners, repeatedly showing our ability to bring projects to fruition and strengthening our partners in the choice they made to get involved with us to see the projects successfully completed. This latest achievement takes us past the 2GW milestone for assets in operation, under construction or projects awarded in France.”
Neoen's awarded capacity of 226.1MW will be distributed across 15 projects, varying in size from 3.3MWp to 42.2MWp. Notably, a quarter of this capacity will be dedicated to agrivoltaic projects, exemplifying the integration of agriculture and solar PV generation. The 30MW Ferme de Bord and Fère-Champenoise projects, for instance, will combine sheep grazing with solar power generation.
Looking ahead, the next PPE tender application deadline is set for November 20, with an anticipated available capacity of 925MWp. This reinforces France's commitment to expanding its solar energy portfolio and reducing its carbon footprint through sustainable and innovative initiatives.
