Regional distribution of wind energy use in France - Status 31/08/2002

As of 31/08/2002, 351 wind turbines with a related power of about 131,5 MW were installed in France. The Languedoc-Roussillon region is at the top with a share of about 44 p.c. of the total power installed. Since February 2000, date of liberation of electricity market in France and since the decision of 8 June 2001, which fixed the conditions of purchase of electric production installation using mechanical energy, an annual growth of about 30 p.c. of newly installed power is observed. This situation must be confirmed for the next two years regarding the projects under study (about 430 MW), and the number of demands for connection to electrical grid. With 34 p.c. of the total installed power, Nordex is at the top of the French market shares of wind turbine suppliers, followed by Vestas with 18 p.c., Bonus with 16 p.c.. The French industry totalize 15 p.c. of the market share, 11 p.c. for Vergnet, specialized in small wind turbines, with 14,2 MW, and 4 p.c. for Jeumont industry with 4,5 MW.