France's wind additions decline in H1 2017 to 492 MW

France installed and connected to the grid 492.35 MW of wind power capacity in the first half of 2017, representing a decline of 13% compared to the same period of 2016, French wind industry body France Energie Eolienne reports.

German wind turbine manufacturer Enercon GmbH accounted for 31% of the market, followed by Denmark's Vestas Wind Systems A/S (CPH:VWS) with 20%, Nordex (ETR:NDX1) and Senvion SA (ETR:SEN) both with 14%, General Electric Co (NYSE:GE) with 11% and Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy SA (BME:SGRE) with 10%.

According to the industry body the decline in installations is due to uncertainties associated with the economic framework for onshore wind. "These uncertainties have prompted wind professionals to be cautious, waiting for a coherent and stable framework," said Olivier Perot, president of France Energie Eolienne.

According to Perot the outlook for 2017 should be in line with last year. While this leaves onshore wind on track for the 15-GW target in 2018, obstacles to development should be removed if the 2023 target with a high end of 26 GW is to be reached. The body calls for addressing impediments such as delays in connection, better coordination on spatial constraints, simplification of procedures and faster dealing with appeals against projects.

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