Market Trends of France Rotor Blade Industry
This section covers the major market trends shaping the France Rotor Blade Market according to our research experts:
Onshore Segment to Dominate the Market
- Onshore wind energy power generation technology has evolved over the last five years to maximize electricity produced per megawatt capacity installed and to cover more sites with lower wind speeds. Besides this, in recent years, wind turbines have become larger with taller hub heights, broader diameters, and larger wind turbine blades. As of 2021, the total onshore installations in the country totaled 19,131 MW.
- France is among the leading countries in the European wind power market. In 2021, it added 1,192 MW, reaching 19.13 GW. The country had an average power rating of 2 MW per turbine. The wind power market in the country has been driven by government policies (such as subsidies and feed-in-tariff) to fill the gap created by the closure of nuclear power plants.
- The onshore sector has dominated the French wind power market. Moreover, under the new government's plans, the onshore wind power capacity is planned to be tripled by 2030. In 2021, the country was third only after Germany and Sweden.
- In July 2022, with a community benefit scheme agreed upon for local development projects, Falck Renewables officially opened its tenth wind farm in France. Falck Renewables officially opened its new wind farm in Illinois, Seine-Maritime department, France. The six-turbine wind farm, which came into commercial operation, has an installed capacity of 12 MW and an estimated annual production of around 28 GWh, sufficient to power approximately 6,600 households.
- In September 2022, Valorem and ENERCON France signed a contract to install six E-82 E4 wind energy converters at Ceilhes-et-Rocozels (Hérault, France) with a total capacity of 14.1 MW.
- Therefore, based on the above-mentioned factors, the onshore wind turbine rotor blade is expected to grow significantly due to supportive government policies and initiatives coupled with an increasing number of onshore wind energy projects.
Supportive Government Policies and Private Investments Driving the Market Demand
- The French government planned to increase the share of renewable energy in the power mix to 40% by 2030. The government announced an increase in the expenditure on renewables, from EUR 5 billion to EUR 8 billion annually.
- Moreover, as of 2021, the country's onshore wind energy installation was about 19 GW, and 2 MW of offshore wind energy installation. Further, according to Programmation Pluriannuelle de l'Énergie (PPE), the country aims to have 34 GW of onshore wind by 2028, which in 2021 is about 19.08 GW. The expansion is vital for a successful energy transition and to help decarbonize the rest of France's energy mix.
- Though the country had no new offshore capacity added in 2021, like Germany and the United Kingdom, France is also seeking to develop its offshore wind power market. By February 2022, the country aims to have 40 GW of offshore wind power generation capacity by 2050.
- In March 2022, the French government signed an offshore sector deal with France's wind industry. The agreement recognizes that offshore wind is significant energy and industrial opportunity. It commits France to build 40 GW of offshore wind by 2050 spread over 50 wind farms which is expected to see considerable development in offshore wind power.
- To reach the country's wind power target, the country plans to organize auctions for a minimum of 2 GW of new offshore wind capacity each year starting in 2025. As of March 2022, the government is auctioning 1 GW a year. This means 20 GW of capacity is likely to be allocated by 2030, translating into 18 GW of operational offshore wind farms in 2035.
- So far, France has placed 3.5 GW of offshore wind up for auction, 500 MW floating wind. The country is well-suited for floating wind power, due to strong and stable winds in the deep sea, off its coasts.
- Hence, government policies and private investments that are helping in the development of the wind power market are expected to be positive during the forecast period, leading to growth in the wind turbine rotor blades market.