France expands renewable curtailment mechanism amid negative prices, lowers threshold to 1 MW

France is significantly expanding the number of photovoltaic and wind installations that may be required to temporarily halt production during periods of negative electricity prices.

The change was introduced by a new order published in the Journal Officiel on July 24. It amends the mechanism established by the December 22, 2025, decree and lowers the applicable capacity threshold from 10 MW to 1 MW, with implementation taking place in two stages.

The mechanism is designed to align renewable power generation with periods of electricity oversupply, particularly when market prices turn negative. It applies to ground-mounted solar and onshore wind installations benefiting from certain forms of public support, including feed-in tariffs and feed-in premiums. For photovoltaics, the rules cover ground-mounted plants, rooftop systems, installations on industrial buildings and solar canopies.

The first phase will begin on December 1, 2026, when the mechanism will apply to photovoltaic installations with a capacity above 5 MW and to other covered installations above 5 MW. From March 1, 2027, it will be extended to solar installations between 1 MW and 5 MW and to other covered technologies between 1 MW and 5 MW.

The final threshold will therefore be 1 MW, substantially broadening the scope of the mechanism compared with the previous 10 MW threshold.

For operators, the amendment means that a significantly larger number of installations will need to be capable of receiving and executing temporary shutdown or curtailment instructions. For photovoltaic and onshore wind installations, the mechanism uses a binary instruction: continue generating or stop production. Operators will consequently need communication, monitoring and remote-control systems capable of reliably responding to instructions.

EDF Obligation d’Achat, the EDF subsidiary responsible for purchasing renewable electricity under France’s regulated support schemes, has already begun preparing for the expanded scope, including installations between 1 MW and 10 MW, through new management tools and technical sessions for producers.

The amendment also has an economic dimension. The mechanism provides compensation to producers for electricity not generated during mandated shutdown periods. The order does not change the compensation arrangements established under the previous regulation. Its main effect is therefore to expand the number of installations potentially subject to temporary shutdowns while maintaining the existing compensation principle.