Country Profile Webinar: Lessons from France – Accelerating Offshore Wind and Nature Protection

Introduction

How is France planning and developing offshore wind with biodiversity in mind? On 27 March RGI and OCEaN continued our joint webinar series focused on understanding various EU country’s approaches to delivering offshore wind alongside nature protection, as well as the varied regulatory frameworks and strategies supporting these efforts.

In the third webinar in this series, we heard from French experts as they spotlight the latest updates in France. Last year, a country-wide public consultation on Maritime Spatial Planning led to the allocation of areas for the development of offshore wind energy and the identification of strong protection areas for nature at sea. This was complemented by new legislation streamlining part of the permitting process for offshore wind farms.

Due to the urgent challenges posed by the energy, climate, and biodiversity crises, it is necessary to understand the varied approaches of different EU Member States in accelerating the planning and permitting of offshore wind and grid alongside nature protection and restoration. Our Country Profile Webinar Series will address this by highlighting legal and regulatory frameworks within selected EU countries related to offshore wind, grid and nature planning.