Renewable energy in France in 2016 - Monitoring implementation of Directive 2009/28/EC on the promotion of use of energy from renewable sources

The share of energy from renewable sources in France's gross final energy consumption was provisionally estimated at 15.7% in 2016, showing a steady increase over ten years. This strong growth in renewable energy since 2005 is due, for the most part, to the sharp rise in use of biofuels, heat pumps and wind power. The development of solar photovoltaics and of solid biomass for heating has also contributed, even if use of the latter is more sensitive to weather conditions. However, the overall pace of development of renewables will have to increase if the goal of a share of 23% in gross final energy consumption by 2020 is to be reached