Time for renewables: how Covid-19 has affected Wind and Solar development in France

A new day, a new article on Covid-19 pandemic effects on the economy. Leaders of the big industries continue to watch, with great concern, the overall evolution of markets, especially now that deconfinement phases are being implemented in most of the EU countries. The current health crisis is forcing both production and services sectors to make huge adjustments to square accounts, with the risk this entails both re. financial losses and market share. When faced with such a sudden crisis, the quickest one to react is usually the one that benefits most, given that sometimes the key is not who is best, but who is first.

Even in the French energy renewables industry, less impacted by the health crisis than other sectors, actors are also showing their concern due to delays in the supply chain, works in progress being stopped or the potential risk of incentives being diverted to other activities of higher priority. In fact, what has happened to renewable energies during the health crisis?

On the PV sector front, the confinement period has brought about a halt in the deployment of PV plants in France, both on the administrative procedures side for new projects as well as in the completion of those projects already under construction. During Q1 2020, 176MW capacity were installed whereas, during Q4 2019, 205MW were installed, that is, a reduction in installed capacity of 16%, though it represents an increase of 10% when compared to Q1 2019, with 160MW capacity installed. However, given that confinement in France started on March 17th, Q1 2020 cannot be considered as representative. It won´t be after some months that the actual figures will show the stoppages and delays previously mentioned. In any event, estimates point to loss of activity of 90% during the confinement period.

These effects of the health crisis have an even higher impact in the already confirmed delay in the accomplishment of the PPE (Multi-year energy Plan) in terms of solar energy. Faced with this situation, the Enerplan association proposes a set of guidelines to ease these effects and thus reach the objectives outlined in the PPE, at a rate of 3GW/yr of new installed capacity. Some of the regulatory or administrative proposals read as follows:

  • Liberalization of small size installations, increasing the threshold of the tariffs window to 1MW.
  • Tariffs system
  • Increase the volume of call for tenders (just as the EU intends to do)
  • Reduce the number of necessary permits or their administrative procedures so that new assets can be built in less than 10 months.

As for the wind energy sector, 227MW capacity was installed in Q1 2020, that is, an increase of 24% when compared to Q1 2019, but a reduction of 52% when compared to Q4 2019, which saw 572MW capacity being installed. Although the available statistics do not yet include the confinement period, it is believed that between 300 and 700MW have seen their installation delayed, with recovery forecasted to be reached in one or two years.

To achieve this recovery, <<France énergie éolienne (FEE)>> is asking the government to reach a significant agreement both for onshore and offshore wind energy to ensure that the objectives and volumes contained in the PPE will be respected. To this effect, the following areas for improvement are being considered:

  • A better forecast of regional needs for connection capacities and a reduction in delivery terms.
  • A simplified and stable legal and financial framework, together with an increase in volume of future calls for tender.
  • The liberalization of distance and height limitations (adapting to aeronautical ceilings and coexistence with radars) should allow for new locations to be equipped in order to boost a harmonious development of wind energy across the national territory.
  • The deployment of newer machinery (increased size and capacity), which optimizes costs reduction and the number of assets installed and renovated.
  • A very much needed technology flexibility in terms of environmental permits and the optimization of administrative procedures, especially for the renovation of wind farm parks.

Both the EU and governments of all countries are launching a number of initiatives aimed at the recovery of the economy in the aftermath of the health crisis. EurActiv, a website specialized in European affairs, has leaked a draft of the European Commission reconstruction plan focused on sustainable development and digitalization. Amongst others, the plan foresees a program for call for tenders for the EU of 15GW capacity during 2 years with a total capital investment of 25.000 million Euros. In 2019, 30GW solar and wind capacity were built in the EU-28, which would mean 25% of the total capacity as it allocates 7,5GW/yr. The aim of this plan in none other than to overcome the COVID-19 crisis. This, together with the new PPE presented by the French government at the end of April, makes us believe in a quite fruitful future for renewable energies in France.

The COVID crisis, together with its confinement, has allowed us for some time for reflection. As a Chinese saying goes, ‘There are opportunities in any crisis’. Without a doubt, and despite the halt experienced, the renewables energy sector will come out stronger from this crisis. The launching plans, supported by European or national public powers, will give wings to the development of renewable technologies. At least to those which create higher employment. The actors of the renewables development, well positioned and with enough financial muscle to cope with this exceptional crisis, have nothing to fear from the future post-COVID-19, though maybe taxpayers do.

José Luis Fernández-Figueroa González

Suscribe to our Newsletter

Each month, one of our experts publishes an article describing his view on a specific topic of the constant changes taking place in the energy market, with special focus on the French market.

Biography

Diego is a Consultant at Haya Energy Solutions. He has 1 year of experience specializing in developing models for energy price forecasting, energy availability and production, and battery optimization.

Diego obtained a bachelor’s in Science in Political Economy from the King’s College London, and later a dual Master’s in Management and Computer Science from the IE University of Madrid.

Diego Marroquín

Consultant

Diego Marroquin - Consultant | Haya Energy Solutions

Biography

Céline is the Head of Business Development and Administration at Haya Energy Solutions. She plays a key role in driving the company’s growth by expanding its market presence, strengthening brand positioning at the European level and implementing strategic initiatives. She also manages the company’s administrative operations, ensuring efficient financial management, including accounting and budget oversight.

She is also a Consultant at Haya Energy Solutions, specialising in the optimisation of energy procurement through the analysis of market trends and regulatory developments. She also provides strategic guidance to identify opportunities and tailor solutions to the specific needs of each client.

Céline holds a degree in Philology from the Sorbonne University and holds a master’s in Project Management and Cultural Tourism from the University of Clermont-Ferrand.

Céline Haya Sauvage

Head of Business Development and Administration

Céline Haya Sauvage - Head of Business Development and Administration | Haya Energy Solutions

Investment Advice

“Decarbonization of the Energy and Transport sectors is arguably today’s main economic driver for the industry.”

Biography

His career started in civil engineering as a Project Manager in France, Martinique and Australia. Afterwards, he became the General Manager of a subsidiary in Venezuela. In 1992, he established Dalkia in Germany (district heating, cogeneration, and partnerships) and represented Véolia in Thailand. In 2000, he opened the commercial office of Endesa in France to take advantage of the liberalized retail market. From 2006, as a development Manager at Endesa France, he led Endesa’s plan for Combined Cycle generation in France and developed the wind and PV portfolio of Snet at the same time. 

Philippe worked for 3 years at E.ON’s headquarters coordinating the company´s activities in France. He was strongly involved in the French hydro concession renewal project. As a Senior Vice President – Project Director at Solvay Energy Services from April 2012 to February 2014 he was in charge of the H2/Power to gas and European direct market access deployment projects. Philippe has been an HES expert since 2014.

Philippe holds engineering degrees both from the Ecole Polytechnique and the Ecole Nationale des Ponts & Chaussées (France) and has a combined experience of more than 25 years in energy and infrastructure. In addition to English, Mr. Boulanger is fluent in French, German & Spanish.

Philippe Boulanger

Electricity Expert

Philippe Boulanger - Electricity Expert | Haya Energy Solutions

“The world is changing. New investors pay particular attention to the energy sector while historical actors adapt their position to the market.”

Biography

Antonio is the founder and President of Haya Energy Solutions, a specialized consulting firm focused on the energy sector, which has developed M&A projects in renewable and conventional power generation, cogeneration, district heating, gas and power retail, energy procurement and power optimization in France, Spain, Portugal, Germany and UK.

Prior to this, Antonio was CEO of KKR’s CELEST Power in France (2x410MW CCGT). He was also CEO of Endesa France and General Secretary, Strategy & Corporate Development Director at E.ON France. Formerly, he held different positions at Endesa, including Responsible for M&A at Endesa Europe and Regulation Specialist at Endesa Distribution.

Antonio holds an MBA from the University of Deusto and a degree in Industrial Engineering from the Higher Technical School of Engineering of the University of Seville.

Antonio Haya

President

Antonio Haya - President | Haya Energy Solutions