France to test simplified authorisation

The permit would include the current siting permit and authorisation required under the ICPE regulations, which subject installations to a strict environmental protection regime.

Further details will be presented during the government’s environmental conference on 20-21 September, which will be followed by a draft law early next year.

The industry is waiting for further clarification, but it welcomes the idea of testing any change in the regulations before they are rolled out nationwide, said Marion Lettry, deputy commissioner for wind power at renewable energy trade association SER.

Deployment in France has stalled under an onerous permitting process and uncertainty over the tariff. However, the government has been taking steps to remedy the situation following President Francois Hollande’s undertaking to simplify the process.