Producers of small wind turbines want better legislation in France

Apr 2, 2013 - French wind sector players which design and assemble small wind turbines have called on the government to adopt more favourable legislation concerning their business segment.
The companies consider that the existing legislation in France is absolutely not adapted to the specifics of their machines whose capacity rarely exceeds 50 kW.
A total of five groups, namely Eolys, Eole System, Nheolis, OKwind and Noveo, decided to join forces and create a professional organisation, called Sypeo, in order to voice their concerns for their business activity. Other sector players are also engaged in that market sub-segment but for the time being they have chosen not to join Sypeo.
French companies producing small wind turbines employ some 650 people in the country, while nearly 2,500 wind turbines with a capacity of between 2 and 10 kW have been installed across France.
However, according to estimates of Sypeo, the situation may change considerably if the government adopts a more favourable legislation. Within three years, up to 4,500 new jobs may be opened.
A study ordered by Sypeo showed that more than 300,000 patches of land across France may be suitable to host a wind turbine of up to 50 kW in order to satisfy agricultural needs.
Usually, small wind turbines cost between EUR 20,000 (USD 25,673) and EUR 200,000 a piece. The main markets are the UK and Italy.

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