France and Germany have adopted ambitious renewable energy targets in the power sector: by 2030, they must cover 50% of power consumption in Germany and 40% of power production in France. Parallel to this “phase-in”-strategy, the two power system are both facing comparable, while differentiated, challenges related to the restructuration of the conventional power generation : coal power plants in Germany, nuclear fleet in France. This restructuration challenges is politically sensitive in both countries. Furthermore, within increasingly interconnected power systems in Europe, the political choices made at one side of the border, regarding the future of renewables and conventional generation, can have important cross-borders implications.
The project investigates energy transitions pathways in France and Germany by 2030, focusing on the adaptation of the conventional power plant fleet (coal in Germany, nuclear in France) to the development of renewables. It studied cross-border dynamics between the two countries and within the interconnected European power system.
The project is supported by a power sector modelling performed by the consulting firm Artelys.