[en] The 2021 edition of the Observatory is being released in a pivotal year given that it is the last one before the next presidential election and the first that will be read by the new regional officials. The share of wind in electricity generation now amounts to 9% of France's global power mix. Since 2020, wind power has been the No.3 source of electricity in France after nuclear power and hydropower. These outcomes, achieved after 15 years of extensive work by the 900 companies in the industry that are established in France, confirm the robustness of our fundamentals, both in terms of competitiveness and of industrial capabilities. In terms of competitiveness, the downward trend in wind power generation costs manifests itself within the winning bid prices in the call for tenders, both for onshore (Euros 60.8 per MWh) and offshore projects (Euros 44 per MWh). This downward trend provides the wind industry with a competitive advantage over historical sectors burdened by upward trends in their production costs (for example, Euros 110-120 MWh for new nuclear operations). In terms of industrial capabilities, the wind industry has demonstrated its know-how by installing new wind farms at a steady pace, even in the midst of a global pandemic. All the business operating along the value chain (planning and design, component manufacturing, construction engineering, operations and maintenance) are thus in line to deliver the yearly 1,900 MW of onshore wind and 1,000 MW of offshore wind that must be installed by 2028 in order to secure France's energy supply and achieve the country's national and international goals (for instance PPE, SNBC, COP 21). These sound fundamentals are the result of a sustained, concerted effort on the part of the businesses that make up the French wind power industry. These fundamentals translate into significant social and economic benefits. These include 2,400 jobs created in 2020, and overall more than 22,600 jobs in France (the wind industry is now the top employer in the renewables sector), as well as upwards of Euros 220 m in local tax revenues that contribute primarily to funding municipalities of less than 100 inhabitants and that have been invaluable in revitalising communities by making public local investments possible. The wind industry, which has become indispensable, approaches the second half of 2021 by taking part in the debate and formulating proposals for 2022 that will allow everyone to be informed of the vision that the industry has on the challenges facing society (for example, employment, training, independence, safety, reindustrialization, combating social inequality) and on the solutions proposed to support France's energy transition

[en] The publication of the Multi-annual Energy Programming (Programmation Pluriannuelle de l'energie - PPE) on 12 April 2020 confirms the importance of the wind industry, both onshore and offshore, in France's energy transition strategy. The objectives are ambitious, involving the doubling of the installed capacity for onshore wind power by 2028 and launching a call for tenders for offshore wind each year at a rate of around 1 GW per year. The health crisis we have just undergone demonstrates that this is a smart move. The production of renewable electricity remained at very high levels during this period, which was out of the ordinary in more than one respect. For wind power, the average coverage rate was 8.8% during the first semester, and even reached 31% in May. The crisis provided an early demonstration of the capacity of renewable energies to contribute to securing the power supply, in addition to their favourable impact on climate change. We are therefore further fortified in determination to extensively develop renewable energies in order to achieve the ambitious objectives of the multi-annual energy programming. The industry also demonstrates that the energy transition is a source of employment, with an 11% increase in wind jobs in 2019. There are currently 20,000 people working in the industry. It also benefits regional economic development by allowing decentralized power generation close to citizens. Thanks to the provisions in favour of participatory engagement carried by the government, communities and citizens are now more involved in wind projects.

[en] The French wind power sector is committed to the future and now boasts 18,200 jobs and 15.3 GW in service capacity, as at 31 December 2018. First and foremost, it has demonstrated that it is competitive within the electricity generation sector. Wind power is France's largest renewable energy sector and has managed to improve industry performance through technological innovation and an improved integration in its environment, effectively offering consumers a clean, competitive and job-creating source of electrical power. Production costs continue to be reduced, and quality improved, through increased investment and the implementation digitalisation and new technologies. In a society with an ever increasing awareness of the threats posed by global warming, the wind power industry is also a means of taking our environmental responsibilities a step further. Indeed, not only do wind turbines provide intrinsically low-carbon energy, but also achieve carbon neutrality after only six months of operation. In addition, they have upwards of 90% recyclable content. Furthermore, there is a strategic interest in keeping the industry European. While most of the major manufacturers are European firms, the majority of subcontractors supplying these key equipment and turbine manufacturers are French companies, based throughout the country, ensuring a near equilibrium in the French trade balance. Finally, the wind industry represents a pool of diversified jobs, both currently and in the future. In large cities, the wind power sector requires an increasing number of skilled workers in key areas such as project development; across French regions, it calls for engineers in construction and technicians in wind farm operation and maintenance. These jobs are both non-relocatable and long-term, with a twenty to twenty-five year time frame at the very least. Changes in business lines and job types in power distribution networks and transmission grids, will make it possible to further sustain and diversify the jobs of the future (digitalisation, aggregation, etc.). However, industry leading businesses are facing talent shortages and a difficulty in recruiting qualified staff in certain fields, such as maintenance and development. This must be addressed by prompt training programmes to adapt to the new types of jobs that are emerging within the industry. The wind power sector has a bright future and is experiencing dynamic growth, but wind power companies need to be able to invest confidently, within a stable and simplified regulatory framework. An ambitious multi-annual energy programming (PPE), combined with the continued support of national and local elected representatives to further develop wind power, will contribute to the industry gaining a strong foothold throughout the country, providing clean jobs for the future and playing a key role in the energy transition efforts away from fossil fuels, demanded by the younger generation