'Really worrying': French wind industry flags fears over far-right victory
National Rally party which calls for a moratorium on wind on land and at sea has chance to win majority of seats in French parliament
Whether that will be enough to block the RN and allies from winning an absolute majority of 289 seats in the 577-seat French National Assembly is not certain as voters may not always follow parties’ recommendations.
RN candidate for prime minister and party leader Jordan Bardella said he would only form a government if winning an absolute majority.
“Nevertheless, the situation is really worrying in case of a moratorium (for both onshore and offshore wind),” Monnier said.
“It would stop the dynamic of the French industry and would put many jobs at risk.”
Nearly 30,000 people currently work in the French wind sector, 22,000 in onshore and 8,000 in offshore wind.
“It would also raise the electricity prices in the medium term because we need more low carbon energy in a perspective of electrification, and we cannot commission new nuclear reactors before 2035-2040.”
The climate-sceptic and wind power-hating RN instead wants to increase France’s already huge fleet of atomic reactors, targeting to build 20 new European Pressurised Reactors (EPRs), with the first of them already commissioned from 2031 on, which Monnier deems to be impossible.
It would also ruin the country’s finances.
Given the common extreme delays at nuclear new-builds (projects in Finland and the UK have also suffered years-long delays), Monnier is concerned that betting only on atomic power would keep France dependent on fossil fuels, which make up two-thirds of the country’s overall energy mix today.
“This is contradictory with the energy sovereignty that the far right wants.”
It would also be against the wishes of most French voters.
According to an opinion poll commissioned by France Renewables just before the elections, 79% of those surveyed would like to see green power develop in France and agreed with the statement: “Your region should be more ambitious in the development of renewable energies”.
The RN and allies in the first round last Sunday had secured 33% of the vote, while the left alliance New Popular Front won 28%. President Macron’s liberal coalition Together gained just under 21%, and the conservative Republicans close to 7%.
The second round takes place this Sunday, July 7.
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