RWE Commissions 83 Megawatts of New Wind and Solar Capacity Across France, Strengthening Its Renewable Energy Footprint
Over the summer, RWE successfully commissioned five new renewable energy projects in France, comprising four wind farms and one solar power plant, together delivering a combined installed capacity of 83 megawatts (MW). These projects, spread across the Hauts-de-France, Normandy, and Nouvelle-Aquitaine regions, represent a significant addition to RWE’s French portfolio and reflect the company’s continued momentum in driving the country’s energy transition forward.
The projects, which entered construction in 2024, were developed following RWE’s successful participation in the French Energy Regulatory Commission’s (CRE) 2023 onshore wind and solar tenders. Through these tenders, France aims to accelerate the deployment of renewables while diversifying its clean energy mix and ensuring long-term stability for its power supply. RWE’s achievement demonstrates not only its ability to deliver projects efficiently but also its strategic alignment with France’s national energy transition goals.
Regional Breakdown of the Projects
Hauts-de-France: Scaling Up Wind Power
The Hauts-de-France region, a key hub for renewable development, now hosts several of RWE’s latest wind farms. Among them is the Catillon-Fumechon wind farm, which boasts a capacity of 21.6 MW generated by six turbines. Located in the municipality of Catillon-Fumechon, this project highlights RWE’s ability to work closely with local authorities and communities to bring new capacity online efficiently.
Additionally, the Catésis-Bois Marronnier wind farm, located across the municipalities of Troivilles and Reumont, has been commissioned with eight turbines delivering 29.2 MW. Together with Catillon-Fumechon, these projects reinforce the region’s reputation as a cornerstone of RWE’s French wind operations.
Beyond these new installations, RWE also expanded its existing Nouvions wind farm by adding four new turbines. These additional units bring an extra 19.2 MW of clean capacity, strengthening the role of Hauts-de-France as a key contributor to RWE’s national portfolio.
Normandy: Expanding Renewable Coverage
In Normandy, RWE completed the commissioning of the Ormesnil wind farm. Comprising two turbines with a combined capacity of 9.6 MW, the project is a smaller but strategically important addition to the local renewable landscape. The region benefits from favorable wind conditions, and Ormesnil reflects RWE’s commitment to diversifying its footprint across multiple French regions while working in close collaboration with local stakeholders.
Nouvelle-Aquitaine: Harnessing Solar Potential
Complementing its wind projects, RWE also strengthened its solar capacity in Nouvelle-Aquitaine. In the municipality of Ardillières, the company installed 7,420 solar modules at the Les Pierrières photovoltaic plant, delivering 4.2 MWp. While relatively modest in scale, this solar project demonstrates RWE’s strategy of leveraging both wind and solar technologies to provide a balanced and resilient clean energy mix.
Powering 40,000 French Households
Taken together, these five projects are capable of supplying renewable electricity to around 40,000 French households. This contribution is particularly significant as France seeks to reduce its reliance on fossil fuels and meet its European Union renewable energy targets. By diversifying sources of generation across regions and technologies, RWE is helping ensure that the energy transition is not only environmentally beneficial but also reliable and cost-effective.
Katja Wünschel, CEO of RWE Renewables Europe & Australia, emphasized the significance of this milestone:
“The commissioning of our five new wind and solar farms within just a few weeks is testament to the capabilities of our French teams in managing multiple projects simultaneously. A big thank you to the RWE team, the local communities and all the companies and partners involved. The projects can supply green electricity to around 40,000 French households. In our journey to support France in building a clean, stable and cost-effective energy supply we are using the French wind and sun. Looking ahead, the next projects are already in the starting blocks.”
Her statement underscores not only the technical achievement of bringing several projects online within a short timeframe but also the collaborative nature of renewable energy development. Success relies on strong partnerships between developers, local communities, and policymakers—something RWE has been careful to cultivate in France.
Building Momentum: Next Wind Projects in Development
The commissioning of these projects marks an important chapter, but RWE is already preparing for its next steps. Following success in the 2024 onshore wind tenders, the company secured approvals for an additional 82 MW of wind capacity that is now moving toward the construction phase. This upcoming wave of projects ensures that RWE will continue expanding its French footprint in the years ahead.
France remains a priority market for RWE, not only because of its ambitious renewable energy targets but also because of its strong political commitment to clean power and the scale of opportunity in both wind and solar development. RWE currently operates 265 MW of installed wind and solar capacity in France, and with the latest additions, this number is set to grow steadily.
RWE’s Broader Role in France’s Energy Transition
France has long been associated with nuclear energy, but in recent years the government has sought to diversify its energy mix by scaling up renewable energy. The national energy plan aims to double renewable electricity capacity by 2035, with a particular emphasis on onshore wind, offshore wind, and solar.
RWE’s investments in France align with these ambitions. By delivering both wind and solar projects, the company contributes to:
- Decarbonization: Displacing fossil fuel-based generation with clean, renewable sources.
- Energy Security: Reducing dependence on imported fuels while enhancing local generation capacity.
- Economic Development: Creating jobs in construction, operations, and maintenance across rural communities.
- Technological Diversity: Ensuring a balance between wind and solar for more stable supply.
The projects also underscore RWE’s global strategy of positioning itself as a leader in renewable energy. As one of the world’s largest renewable companies, RWE is investing billions of euros worldwide in onshore and offshore wind, solar, storage, and green hydrogen. The French market, with its robust policy framework and ambitious targets, is a natural fit for these investments.
