From pv magazine France
Following the official announcement of photovoltaic targets in France’s new Multiannual Energy Program (PPE 3), Economy Minister Roland Lescure confirmed at a press conference that specifications for upcoming solar tenders will be published imminently.
“We will launch a tender next week with a target volume of 2.9 GW by 2026, alongside a 300 MW ‘Large Buildings PV’ tender published in the Official Journal of the European Union,” he said. “This represents 3 GW of new capacity. We are committed to maintaining strong ambition for photovoltaics: reaching between 55 and 80 GW by 2035, which corresponds to two-thirds of our data center needs.”
The announcement follows a decree published in the Official Journal on 13 February 2026, limiting the allocation of public support for onshore wind and solar PV until 31 December 2028, in line with Article 3 of Decree No. 2020-456 of 21 April 2020.
French solar trade association Enerplan said the text sets a 2.9 GW target for 2026–2028, maintaining the pace established under PPE 2. It equates to an annual program of 3.6 GWp, including a cap of 2.9 GWp for tenders and 0.7 GWp supported through direct funding. Enerplan said the tender cap provides companies with visibility to continue developing projects and planning growth.
The decree also requires the government to publish a report by the end of 2026 on electricity consumption trends, low-carbon generation development and progress in flexibility. A review clause allows for a simplified revision of the PPE at the end of 2027 if necessary.
After five years of consultation and political debate, and nearly three years of delays, Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu unveiled PPE 3 at an EDF hydroelectric plant in the Jura region. The updated plan scales back earlier solar ambitions, setting a target of 48 GW of installed capacity by 2030, rising to between 55 GW and 80 GW by 2035.
The trajectory aligns with RTE’s R3 scenario, implying annual deployment of roughly 3.5 GW. That represents a slowdown of around 40% compared with 2025, when France added a record 6 GW of new solar capacity.
“This represents a step back from the initial 54 GW target for solar by 2030,” said Daniel Bour, president of Enerplan.
Despite the lower 2030 target, industry representatives broadly welcomed the framework. The 48 GW goal remains above the previously considered R2 scenario of 42 GW.
“After the challenges of recent months, this is a great relief, restoring visibility for solar companies and our clients,” said Édouard Roblot, director of solar energy at Idex, which develops projects through third-party investment. He noted that stalled CRE tender periods had prevented some real estate companies from meeting rooftop and parking canopy solar requirements for new buildings.
Dozens of photovoltaic developers have recently mobilized in Paris and Montpellier to call for an ambitious PPE and continued institutional support for solar permitting.
The French Renewable Energy Association (Syndicat des énergies renouvelables) also welcomed the volumes.
“These volumes provide visibility for developers while supporting the emergence of gigafactories for module and cell production by Carbon and HoloSolis,” said its president, Jules Nyssen. Each factory represents around €1 billion in investment and approximately 2,000 jobs.
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