The Renewable Energy Law Review: France – The Law Reviews, 2021
Introduction
France is on track to set up and implement its decarbonisation framework. It benefits from decarbonised electricity, the energy-generating mix being made up of nuclear power and renewable sources as well as fossil fuels.
Hydropower is predominant historically and constitutes the main source of renewable energy for electricity in France, with over 25GW installed and 50 per cent of renewable production capacity, while wind and solar energy development is important and represents more than 42 per cent of renewable production capacity, which drove the share of renewables in electricity generation to over 23 per cent in 2020.
Projections show wind power will overtake hydroelectricity in France by 2030, with over 43 per cent of the total energy mix.
Its growing contribution to the French energy mix is expected to be more significant with the first offshore wind projects taking off in Fécamp (498MW), Courseulles-sur-Mer (450MW), and Saint Nazaire (480MW), followed by Saint Brieuc (500MW), Yeu and Noirmoutier (496MW), Treport (496MW) and Dunkirk (600MW). However, the development of offshore wind projects is relatively slow, as it is systematically subject to litigation involving local stakeholders.
France is also among the top countries in terms of district heating and cooling capacity, with municipalities pursuing efforts to supply their networks with biomass, geothermal and solar renewable energy.
- The year in review
- The policy and regulatory framework
i. The policy background
ii The regulatory and consenting framework
- Renewable energy project development
i Project finance transaction structures
ii Power purchase
iii Non-project finance development
- Distributed and residential renewable energy
- Renewable energy supply chains
- Other key considerations
- Conclusions and outlook
International Journal of Banking and Financial Law : Ordinance transposing CRD VI directive in France enacted : Navigating impact on cross-border lending by third-country institutions
Our partner Jean-François Adelle has published an in-depth analysis in the Butterworths Journal of International Banking and Financial Law (July 2026), examining how France’s transposition of the CRD VI Directive reshapes the landscape for cross-border lending by third-country institutions. Enacted through Ordinance No. 2026-255 of 8 April 2026, the reform sets forth the new framework […]
Paris | BANK-FINANCE-REGULATORY
Option Finance, « Enquêtes internes : faire le bon choix »
| CRIMINAL BUSINESS LAW | CRIMINAL LAW
CRD VI in France: publication of the transposing ordinance
Following the European Commission’s letter of formal notice dated 27 March 2026 regarding France’s failure to transpose the CRD VI Directive by the deadline of 11 January 2026, France swiftly adopted Ordinance No. 2026-255 dated 8 April 2026, published on 9 April 2026. The Ordinance clarifies and completes the draft transposition framework, following review by […]
| BANK-FINANCE-REGULATORY
Revu Banque – L’action de la DGCCRF dans le contrôle des établissements de crédit – Compétences, pratiques de contrôle et procédure de sanction
Longtemps cantonnée à la protection des consommateurs dans les secteurs de la consommation courante, l’action de la Direction générale de la concurrence, de la consommation et de la répression des fraudes (DGCCRF) s’étend désormais de manière significative au secteur bancaire et des paiements. A la croisée du droit de la consommation et de la régulation […]
Paris
News Flash: Draft ordinance transposing CRD VI Directive in France on track: Navigating impact on cross-border lending by third-country institutions
The draft French ordinance transposing the CRD VI Directive is on track! Jean-Francois Adelle and Chuanyu Fan examine the impact on non-EU institutions providing cross-border lending in France, highlighting in particular the new set of exemptions from the French banking monopoly, including reverse solicitation. This News Flash streamlines : • The new framework applicable to third-country institutions […]
Chambers and Partners – Insurance & Reinsurance 2026
The French insurance market showed upward momentum in 2025. In life insurance, flows reached an exceptional level in the first half of 2025, with net inflows into redeemable products exceeding the amount collected for the whole of 2024, while in non-life insurance, the increase in premiums (+5.4%) exceeded that of claims (+2.3%), improving technical profitability. […]
Paris
“Middle East – A Region in Motion” – Insight from the Middle East Desk: MENA Legal & Market Overview, Second Semester 2025
The Middle East continues to transform at an unprecedented pace. With bold regulatory reforms, strategic investments in energy, transport, and technology, and a strong drive to diversify Gulf economies, the region remains a key player on the international stage. Discover our MENA Legal & Market Overview – Second Semester 2025, featuring insights from Joséphine Hage […]
Quelques enseignements sur l’applicabilité de la procédure des avantages particuliers aux sociétés par actions simplifiées – Option Droit & Affaires 24/04/2024
Publication by Guillaume Fornier, partner. Read the article: here
| CORPORATE – M&A – PRIVATE EQUITY
Les défaillances en France font une pause en trompe-l’oeil – L’Agefi 04/04/2025
Plus de 66.000 procédures encore ont été ouvertes sur douze mois à fin février, selon la Banque de France. Read the article: here
| RESTRUCTURING – LAW OF COMPANIES IN DIFFICULTY
A closer look at the Euro PP, USPP and schulschein standard, based on their standad documentation, IGTA Winter Journal 2024/2025
A closer look at the Euro PP, USPP and schulschein standard, based on their standad documentation, IGTA Winter Journal 2024/2025
Départ vers le Royaume-Uni : tour d’horizon du nouveau régime de faveur « FIG », Option Finance, 04/12/2025
Following the abolition of the remittance basis tax regime introduced into British law 200 years ago, the British government has introduced a new tax system, effective April 6, 2025, to attract foreign wealth and investors to the United Kingdom and attempt to stem the exodus to countries with more favorable tax regimes. By Vincent Lazimi. […]
| TAX
Les nouvelles règles du jeu américaines – L’Usine Nouvelle, 07/11/2025
While the economic climate remains favorable in the United States, the administration is creating an unstable business environment. Companies must adapt. Read the full article here.
| CORPORATE – M&A – PRIVATE EQUITY