Climate Politics
France Adopts Controversial Law Aimed at Boosting Renewables
- Local authorities will create acceleration areas for projects
- Neoen says the law will slow the development of renewables
Arrays of photovoltaic panels and inverter stations at the Cestas Solar Park in Cestas, France.
Photographer: Nathan Laine/BloombergThis article is for subscribers only.
France adopted a law to accelerate the development of renewable energies to reduce the country’s dependence on oil and gas, even as critics said it will actually slow onshore wind and solar projects.
Parliament approved the government-endorsed legislation, which was presented last year as a way to quickly lower France’s dependence on fossil fuels after Russia reduced gas shipments to Europe. It was also aimed at addressing concern over possible energy shortages after nuclear reactors faced lengthy shutdowns for maintenance and repairs.