COMMISSION STAFF WORKING DOCUMENT Country Factsheet France Accompanying the document COMMUNICATION FROM THE COMMISSION TO THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT, THE COUNCIL, THE EUROPEAN ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COMMITTEE, THE COMMITTEE OF THE REGIONS AND THE EUROPEAN INVESTMENT BANK State of the Energy Union
Date: 2015-11-18
Institutions: European Commission, Secretariat-General
Subjects: France, competitiveness, economic and social cohesion, electrical energy, energy policy, gas, innovation, reduction of gas emissions, regional cooperation, single market

EN 

   EN 

   EUROPEAN COMMISSION  Brussels, 18.11.2015  SWD(2015) 224 final   COMMISSION STAFF WORKING DOCUMENT Country Factsheet France Accompanying the document COMMUNICATION FROM THE COMMISSION TO THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT, THE COUNCIL, THE EUROPEAN ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COMMITTEE, THE COMMITTEE OF THE REGIONS AND THE EUROPEAN INVESTMENT BANK   State of the Energy Union  {COM(2015) 572} {SWD(2015) 208 à 209} {SWD(2015) 217 à 223} {SWD(2015) 225 à 243}  
 
 
Towards an Energy Union  
           France 

Macroeconomic relevance of energy 

IMPORTANCE OF THE ENERGY SECTOR 

The value added of the energy sector in France represented 1,6% of the total gross added value in 
2012, which is about 20% lower than the EU average. It has decreased from 1.9% in 2005, a level that 
was higher than the EU average at that time. In parallel, at about 0,54% of the total labour force, the 
share of employment in the energy sector in France has remained broadly stable between 2005 to 
2012, albeit at a level 10% lower than the EU average. 

Source: EUROSTAT – National Accounts 

According to EurObserv'ER, in 2013, the share 
of  direct  and 
indirect  renewable  energy 
related  employment  in  total  employment  of 
the  economy  in  France  was  at  about  0.69%, 
above the EU average of 0.53%. 

Source:  European  Commission,  based  on  EurObserv'ER  and 
EUROSTAT 

TRADE BALANCE OF ENERGY PRODUCTS 

0.00.40.81.21.62.02.420052012FREU27Value added of energy sector% of grossvalue added (total economy)0.00.10.20.30.40.50.620052012FREU27Employment in energy sector% of total employment 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Towards an Energy Union - France 

After several years of deterioration, the energy trade balance of France has reached a level in 2014 
similar  to  2006  (-2.4%  of  GDP  in  2006  and  -2.5%  of  GDP  in  2014).  This  has  contributed  to  an 
improvement  of  the overall current account balance  deficit,  although it  remains  negative at  -0.8%. 
France remains a net exporter of electricity; however its net exports decreased from 0.14% of GDP in 
2006 to 0.09% in 2014. For the other  energy commodities,  the trade balance of France is negative 
and  at  levels  similar  to  the EU  average.  The  trade  deficit  has  started to  shrink for  oil,  gas  and  coal 
since 2013, with a higher pace in 2014. 

Source: EUROSTAT 
Note: Current account balance for EU28 from European Commission (AMECO) 

1. Energy Security, solidarity and trust 

ENERGY MIX 

The energy mix of France has a much lower share of fossil fuels and a much higher share of nuclear 
energy  than  the  EU  average.  Compared  to  1995,  the  share  of  gas  in  gross  final  consumption 
increased  (from  12%  to  15%  of  the  energy  mix),  while  the  share  of  solid  fuels  decreased  (by  3 
percentage points). Overall, there have been no major changes in the use of energy carriers over this 
period. 

Gross inland energy consumption in 2013 

Source: EUROPEAN COMMISSION, based on EUROSTAT  

IMPORT DEPENDENCY 

Energy import dependency in France is in line with EU28. Since 2005, energy import dependency has 
remained stable in France. France's overall import dependency is in line with EU average, although 
France is highly dependent for petroleum and gas products, with dependency reaching 100% in 2013. 

2 

-4-3-2-1012FREU28% of GDPCoalOilElectricityGasC. A. BalanceTrade balance of energy product and currentaccount balance, 2006 -4-3-2-1012FREU28% of GDPCoalOilElectricityGasC. A. BalanceTrade balance of energy product and currentaccount balance, 2014  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Towards an Energy Union - France 

Regarding  gas,  import  sources  are  well  diversified1,  based  on  good  capacity  levels  at  entry  points, 
LNG terminals and storages. Overall, the country supplier concentration index is one of the lowest in 
the EU.  

Source: EUROPEAN COMMISSION, based on EUROSTAT  

2. A fully-integrated internal energy market 

INTERCONNECTIONS 

The interconnection capacity for electricity was of 11% in 2014 
for  France.  If  new  PCIs  are  adopted,  a  level  of  15%  by  2030 
could  be  achieved.  The  submarine  electricity  interconnection 
between France and Spain in the Biscay Gulf is one of the key 
security  of  supply  infrastructure  projects  listed  in  the  EU 
Energy  Security  Strategy  (EESS).  A  feasibility  study  is  on-going 
in  order  to  assess  the  technical  and  financial  aspects  of  its 
implementation.  

For  gas,  France  has  6  interconnection  points,  1  entry  point 
from  Norway  and  3  LNG  terminals.  A  new  LNG  terminal  (in 
Dunkirk)  will  be  commissioned  at  the  end  of  2015,  which  will 
allow  the  creation  of  a  new  interconnection  point  with 
Belgium.  The  interconnection  capacity  with  Spain  will  reach 
7bcm/y in both directions by end of 2015. The Eastern Axis FR-
ES  gas  interconnection  point  between  the  Iberian  Peninsula 
and  France  at  Le  Perthuis  (MidCat)  is  also  a  key  security  of 
supply  infrastructure  project  listed  in  the  EESS.  Another  PCI, 
ensuring  the  reinforcement  of  the  French  gas  network  from 
South to North on the Bourgogne pipeline, is highly important 
and  has  a  positive  impact  on  the  security  of  supply  on  the 
North-South  interconnection in  Western  Europe.  The  creation 
of  a  single  French  gas  hub  by  2018  is  an  important  step 
forward for the market integration. 

Source: EUROPEAN COMMISSION based on 
ENTSO-E scenario outlook and adequacy 
forecast 2014 
Note: Reference to 2030 target is based on 
October 2014 European Council conclusions 
stating  that  "the  Commission  will  also 
report  regularly  to  the  European  Council 
with  the  objective  of  arriving  at  a  15% 
target by 2030" 

1  

Top non-EU gas suppliers table is based on EUROSTAT data. The share of imports from non-EU countries is calculated 
as the ratio between volumes of imports from that  specific non-EU supplier and total imports  (from EU and non-EU 
countries). 

3 

Top non-EU gas suppliers in 2013 (% in total imports)FranceEuropean Union country[%]country[%]Norway43.4Russia39.0Russia21.5Norway29.5Algeria12.1Algeria9.7Qatar3.6Qatar6.752%48%99%99%99%97%52%53%82%87%57%65%200520132005201320052013All fuelsPetroleum andproductsNatural gasFREU28Import dependency 2013 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
                                                                 
Towards an Energy Union - France 

ELECTRICITY AND GAS MARKETS 

Wholesale market concentration index for electricity(left, 
2014) and gas (right, 2013). (Herfindahl index – a 10000 
value corresponds to a monopoly)

Sources:ESTAT 
Calculations 

and 

EUROPEAN 

COMMISSION 

Sources: EUROPEAN COMMISSION based on ESTAT, CEER and Platts 
Power Vision 

The  power  generation  market  is  highly  concentrated.  Regulated  tariffs  still  represent  the  largest 
share  of  the  market  for  small  consumers;  they  will  be  phased  out  by  the  end  of  2015  for  big  and 
medium-sized  customers  France  would  benefit  from  further  reducing  the  concentration  of  the 
wholesale electricity market which remains one of the most concentrated in the EU. At retail level, 
market concentration remains high in particular for electricity (at the end of 2014, 9% of electricity 
consumers and 17% of gas consumers were served by alternative suppliers2). 
Wholesale  electricity  prices  are  below  the  EU  average  while  wholesale  gas  prices  are  at  the  EU 
average. Domestic retail prices for electricity are below the EU average, while retail prices for gas are 
slightly above the EU average.3  
The switching rates for electricity consumers are rather low, while higher for gas. French consumers 
rate  the  performance  of  their  retail  electricity  and  gas  markets  well  above  the  EU  average,  which 
corresponds to 4th place in the EU ranking for electricity and to 7th place for gas.  
A formal decision to proceed with the roll-out of smart-meters has been taken for both the electricity 
and natural gas sector, after the cost-benefit analysis returned a positive outcome. 

CONTRIBUTION OF ENERGY TO CONSUMER PRICE EVOLUTION 

Consumer price inflation has decreased fourfold in France since 2011 (from 2.3% to 0.6% in 2014) 
in  line  with  the  downward  trend  registered  in  the  Euro  area  as  a  whole.  Energy  products  have 
contributed significantly to this dynamics, notably in 2014 through the sharp drop in oil prices. 

Source: DG ECFIN based on Eurostat 

Observatoire 

2  
http://www.cre.fr/media/fichiers/marches/consulter-l-observatoire-des-marches-de-detail-du-4eme-trimestre-2014  
3  

Source:Eurostat (http://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/statistics-explained/index.php/Energy_price_statistics) 

trimestre 

marchés 

4eme 

détail 

2014, 

des 

du 

de 

CRE, 

4 

-10123420052007200920112013% increase on a year earlierNon EnergyEnergyAll itemsFrance : Price evolution & the contribution of energy prices-10123420052007200920112013% increase on a year earlierNon EnergyEnergyAll itemsEA : Price evolution & the contribution of energy prices 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
                                                                 
 
Towards an Energy Union - France 

VULNERABLE CONSUMERS 

Source: EUROPEAN COMMISSION, based on on EUROSTAT SILC survey 

Based  on  a  EUROSTAT  survey  on  income  and 
living  conditions  in  households,  three  proxy 
indicators are used to assess fuel poverty. They 
indicate  that  the  problem  is  not  as  relevant  in 
France as in the EU on average.  
Special tariffs are reserved for households with 
an  income  below  or  equal  to  a  threshold  of 
entitlement  to  supplementary  universal  health 
cover.  These  tariffs  are  available  for  both 
electricity  and  natural  gas  consumers.  Special 
programs  are  also  in  place  to  help  vulnerable 
consumers to reduce their energy consumption, 
such  as  “habiter  mieux”  managed  by  ANAH 
(national agency for housing improvement). 

3. Energy Efficiency and moderation of energy demand 

ENERGY EFFICIENCY TARGET 2020  
(219.9 Mtoe primary energy and 131.4 Mtoe final energy) 

France's  2020  energy  efficiency 
indicative 
target  is  219.9  Mtoe  expressed  in  primary 
energy  consumption  (excluding  non-energy 
demand)  and  131.4  Mtoe  expressed  in  final 
energy consumption. 
France  has  a  solid  energy  efficiency  policy 
framework  which  is  now  complemented  by 
the  law  on  energy  transition  adopted  on  22 
July.  However,  without  additional  efforts  and 
an  accelerated  implementation  of  its  policy, 
France  could  fail  to  further  decrease 
its 
current  primary  energy  consumption  (245.8 
Mtoe in 2013) and reach its indicative targets 
by  2020,  especially  if  the  economy  continues 
to grow. 

 Source:  EUROPEAN  COMMISSION,  based  on  EUROSTAT  and  on 
national  energy  efficiency  targets  as  declared  by  the  MS  under  the 

Energy Efficiency Directive 

ENERGY INTENSITY 

Primary energy intensity in  France has decreased  since 2005, in  line with  EU  average, and remains 
below EU average level. A lower energy intensity reduction is recorded in the industrial sector, below 
the average energy intensity reduction in the EU28. 

5 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Towards an Energy Union - France 

Primary energy intensity of the economy  

Final energy intensity in industry 

Source: EUROPEAN COMMISSION based on  EUROSTAT and 

EUROPEAN COMMISSION/AMECO 

Source:  EUROPEAN  COMMISSION  based  on    EUROSTAT 
and EUROPEAN COMMISSION/AMECO 

Specific  energy  consumption  by  households  is  around  EU  average  and  decreased  at  a  similar  pace 
than the EU average. The specific energy intensity of passengers cars decreased slightly since 2005, 
which  reflects  an  improving  performance  of  new  cars.  The  specific  energy  intensity  for  freight 
transport remained stable, well below EU average. With 114 g CO2/100 km, the new cars purchased 
in France are among the most efficient in the EU.  

Final  energy  consumption  per  m2  in  residential 
sector, climate corrected 

Specific energy intensity for passenger cars and freight 
transport4  

Source: EUROPEAN COMMISSION based on  Odyssee database 

Source: PRIMES model background data and estimations based on EU 
Commission and EU MS inputs   

EU  legislation  sets  mandatory  CO2  emission  reduction  targets  for  new  cars  and  vans.  By  2021,  the 
fleet average to be achieved by all new cars is 95 grams of CO2 per kilometre. For new vans, the fleet 
average is set at 147 g/km by 2020. 

Source: European Environmental Agency. 2014 values are provisional. 2013 EU average refers to EU-27. 

Regarding transport performance, in EU-28 the inland freight modal shares are 71% by road, 17% by 
rail, 7% by inland waterways and 5% by pipelines. The respective inland passenger modal shares are 
82% by private car, 9% by buses and coaches, 7% by railways and 2% by tram and metro.  

4  

Statistics  on  energy  demand  for  passengers  and  freight  transport  are  not  available  and  model  estimates  have  been 
used instead. These issues should be borne in mind when comparing energy intensity in freight or passenger transport 
between Member States, which should be regarded as merely indicative. 

6 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
                                                                 
Towards an Energy Union - France 

Modal shares France 

Source: Eurostat and EU transport in figures 2015. Data refers to 2013. Modal shares based on tonne-kilometres for freight sector and 
passenger-kilometres for passenger sector, freight data based on activity within country territory. Estimates are made when data is missing. 

4. Decarbonisation of the economy 

NON-ETS GHG EMISSION REDUCTION TARGET 2020  
(-14% by 2020 as compared to 2005 in the non-ETS sector) 

In  2014  emissions  in  France  decreased  by 
approximately  16%  as  compared  to  2005. 
(based on 2014 approximated data) 
According  to  its  2015  projections,  France  is 
on  track  to  reach 
its  greenhouse  gas 
emission  reduction  target  for  2020,  with  a 
gap of less than 5% as compared to 2005.  

Non-ETS Emissions 
(vs. 2005) 
Projections with 
existing measures 
2020 
Proxy 2014 

Projections/proxy 

target 

-18% 

-16% 

-14% 

-7% 

 Source:  EUROPEAN  COMMISSION    based  on  EEA.  Based  on  preliminary 
inventory data. 

ESD (Effort Sharing Decision) emissions are the emissions from sectors not 

covered by the EU ETS 

RENEWABLE ENERGY SHARE TARGET 2020 (23%) 

With  a  renewable  energy  share  of  14,24%  in 
2013,  France  could  reach  its  2020  renewable 
energy target of 23% renewable energy share 
in gross final consumption, provided it better 
reaps its renewable energy potential. 
As  regards  the  share  of  renewable  energy  in 
the  transport  sector,  France  is  currently  at  a 
level of 7,22% (almost up to the level foreseen 
in its Action Plan for 2013, i.e. 7,5%).  

Source: EUROPEAN COMMISSION based on  EUROSTAT 

7 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Towards an Energy Union - France 

GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSION INDICATORS 

  The carbon intensity of the economy in France is among the lowest in Europe and emissions 

 

 

per capita are lower than the EU average (effect of high nuclear share).  
In 2012 the share of GHG emissions of the power industry are significantly lower than the EU 
average.  
In 2014 the revenues from the auctioning of ETS allowances amounted to EUR 215.3 million, 
which  are  all  planned  to  support  the  retrofitting  of  houses  or  apartments  owned  by  low-
income people (“Habiter mieux” program of the national agency ANAH)..      

Largest  Sectors  of  GHG 
Emissions in 2012 (*) 

France 

EU 
Average 

Energy/power industry  

Transport 

Industry  

Agriculture (incl. forestry & 
fishery) 

Residential & Commercial 

Waste & others 

12% 

27% 

20% 

20% 

18% 

3% 

33% 

20% 

19% 

12% 

13% 

3% 

(*)Sectoral breakdown for 2013 data not available. 

GHG Emissions 

France 

EU 

EU  ETS  auctioning  revenues 
in 2014(EUR millions) 

Share  of  ETS  emissions  in 
2013 

215.3 

3205 

24% 

42% 

in 

7.5 

GHG  emissions/capita 
2013 (tCO2equivalent) 
Carbon intensity of economy 
in 2013 (tCO2equivalent/EUR 
millions) 
Source: EUROPEAN COMMISSION  based on EEA 

240 

8.5 

328 

ENERGY & TRANSPORT TAXATION 

Energy and transport related taxes as a share of GDP are lower in France than in the EU as a whole. 
This difference is quite pronounced when it comes to taxation of transport vehicles, and electricity 
and heating fuels. The overall tax burden in 2012 had slightly decreased compared to the 2005 level 
(from 1.8% of GDP in 2005 to 1.7% of GDP in 2012). This was mainly due to a decrease in taxation of 
transport fuel and to a parallel increase in taxation of electricity and heating fuels, both expressed in 
percent of GDP. A carbon tax ("contribution climat énergie") recently came into force. It is applied on 
the fossil fuels and reflects the carbon content of fossil energy. Exemptions apply to ETS installations 
as well as certain industrial installations not subject to the ETS, road and waterway freight transport 
operators, public passenger transport operators and taxis and the agriculture and fishery sectors. 

Source: Eurostat 

8 

0.01.02.03.0FREU-28Energy & Transport related taxes % of GDP, 2005TransportvehiclesTransport fuelHeat &Electricity0.01.02.03.0FREU-28Energy & Transport related taxes % of GDP, 2012TransportvehiclesTransport fuelHeat &Electricity 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Towards an Energy Union - France 

5. Research, innovation and competitiveness 

RESEARCH AND INNOVATION 

France is above the EU average, the US and South Korea in terms of public support share allocated to 
research and innovation in the field of energy and environment. In terms of intensity of low-carbon 
technologies patents, France performs better than the EU average and the US, but lags behind other 
worldwide partners.  

 Source: EUROPEAN COMMISSION based on  EUROSTAT   

COMPETITIVENESS 

The  real  unit  energy  costs5 have  increased  and  are 
higher in France than in the EU or in the US. It reflects 
both  the  specificity  of  the  French  industry  mix,  and 
the  fact  that  real  energy  prices  have  increased  in 
France  over  the  past  ten  years  (as  has  the  EU 
average),  while  the  energy  intensity 6  of  France's 
manufacturing sector has seen a slight improvement. 
The  energy  intensity  is  in  line  with  the  EU  average 
and lower than in the US. 
Regarding electricity and gas prices paid by industrial 
customers, it can be noted that France stands below 
EU  average.  There  is  also  quite  a  high  discrepancy 
between  the  minimum  and  maximum  prices  paid  by 
their 
industrial  customers,  which  depend  on 
consumption level. 

Real unit energy costs (% of value added) 

Source: EUROPEAN COMMISSION 

5  

6  

This indicator measures the amount of money spent on energy sources needed to obtain one unit of value added. The 
here: 
develop 
to 
methodological 
http://ec.europa.eu/economy_finance/publications/european_economy/2014/pdf/ee1_en.pdf.  
The  energy  intensity  presented  here  is  derived  from  Use  Tables  of  WIOD,  see  "Energy  Economic  Developments  in 
Europe SWD(2014)19". 

approach 

indicator 

available 

used 

this 

is 

9 

9.59.58.214.713.28.816.813.78.0024681012141618FREU27US200020092011 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
                                                                 
Towards an Energy Union - France 

Source: European Commission based on EUROSTAT and IEA 

6. Post-2020 Energy and Climate policy Strategy  

COMPREHENSIVE MEDIUM TO LONG-TERM STRATEGY (post-2020) 
FOR CLIMATE AND ENERGY  

  The Energy  Transition  Law,  published  in August  2015,  foresees  the establishment  of  a  low-

carbon development strategy as well as 5-year 'Carbon budgets' until 2030. 

  With  its  Energy  Transition  Law,  France  is  establishing  a  post  2020  strategy,  covering  both 

medium and long term.  

  The  French  low-carbon  development  strategy  aims  at  reducing  GHG  emissions  by  40%  by 

2030 and by 75% by 2050 (compared to 1990 levels).  

 

The Energy Transition Law also aims at reducing final energy consumption by 20% by 2030, 
and by 50% by 2050, compared to 2012 levels. It also aims at reducing the consumption of 
fossil fuels by 30% by 2030.The share of nuclear in power generation should decrease from 
75% to 50% by 2025. 

  The Energy Transition Law further envisages an increase in the share of renewable energy to 

23% by 2020 and to 32% in 2030. 

NATIONAL TARGETS, especially for 2030 

Objective, 2030-2050 

GHG reduction  

Renewable energy share 
Energy Efficiency / savings  

Y/N 
Yes for 2050 
Yes for 2030 
Yes for 2030 
Yes  
(for 
and 2050) 

2030 

2030/2050 target 

Emissions to be reduced by 75% by 2050 
Emissions to be reduced by 40% by 2030 
32% renewable energy by 2030.  
The  Energy  Transition  Law  foresees  to  reduce 
France's final energy consumption by 20% by 2030, 
and by 50% by 2050, compared to 2012 levels. 

7. Regional cooperation  

Regional  cooperation  on  infrastructure  development  is  necessary  to  optimise  the  identification  of 
regional  infrastructure  priorities  and  to  coordinate  cross-border  investments.  France  is  already 
member of three Regional Groups which have been established under the TEN-E Regulation: North- 
South Gas interconnections in Western Europe, North- South electricity interconnection in Western 
Europe and the Southern Gas Corridor. 

10 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Towards an Energy Union - France 

France is also a part of the recently set-up High Level Group on the interconnection of South West 
Europe which aims at tackling the existing interconnection issues both for electricity and gas through 
the adoption of an Action Plan..  

France  is  a  member  of  the  Pentalateral  Energy  Forum.  It  was  created  in  2005  by  Energy  Ministers 
from Benelux, Germany and France in order to promote collaboration on cross-border exchange of 
electricity.  It  is  an  inter-governmental  initiative,  assisted  by  an  independent  secretariat,  whose 
mission  consists  of  improving  control  of  the  cross-border  network  and  harmonising  allocation 
methods  using  information  exchange  between  regulators  and  network  managers  in  participating 
countries.  France  is  also  a  member  of  the  Noerthern  Seas  Cooperation  on  Offshore Grids  initiative 
and participates in the German-led round-table on market developments. 

8. Cohesion policy contribution  

The  EU  Cohesion  policy  provides  important  investment  possibilities  to  implement  energy  policy 
objectives in France which will be complemented by national public and private co-financing, aiming 
at  optimal  leverage.  It  also  ensures  integrated  territorial  solutions  to  challenges  by  supporting 
capacity  building,  technical  assistance  and  territorial  cooperation,  including  the  macro-regional 
strategy for the Alpine Region in which France takes part. 

Internal Energy Market: Over 2014-2020, EU Cohesion Policy will invest some EUR 30 million in smart 
electricity  distribution  grids  in  France.  These  investments  are  expected  to  contribute  to  around 
11 500 additional users connected to smart grids. 

Energy  efficiency:  Over  2014-2020,  EU  Cohesion  Policy  will  invest  some  EUR  775  million  in  energy 
efficiency  improvements  in  public  and  residential  buildings  and  in  enterprises,  as  well  as  in  high-
efficiency  cogeneration  and  district  heating  in  France.  A  further  estimated  EUR  810  million  will  be 
invested in supporting the move towards an energy-efficient, decarbonised transport sector. These 
investments  are  expected  to  contribute  to  around  143  000  households  with  improved  energy 
consumption classification and a decrease of around 83 197 000 kWh per year of decreased primary 
energy  consumption  of  public  buildings,  as  well  as  to  around  50  km  of  reconstructed  or  upgraded 
railway lines and 600 km of new or improved inland waterways. 

Decarbonisation: Overall, the EU Cohesion Policy investments in France over 2014-2020 are expected 
to contribute to an estimated annual decrease of GHG of around 1 067 000 tonnes of CO2eq. Over 
2014-2020,  EU  Cohesion  Policy  will  invest  some  EUR  423  million  in  renewable  energy  in  France. 
These investments are expected to contribute to around 750 MW of additional capacity of renewable 
energy production. 

Research,  Innovation  and  Competitiveness:  Over  2014-2020,  EU  Cohesion  Policy  will  invest 
significantly  in  R&I  and  in  SME  competitiveness  in  France.  This  will  be  based  on  the  regional 
strategies  for  smart  specialisation.  For  France,  many  regional  strategies  include  indeed  a  focus  on 
energy,  mobility  and  transport.  Furthermore,  the  areas  of  specialisation  in  the  fields  of  materials, 
mechanics and chemistry as well as the "factory of the future" cover eco-innovation issues. Finally, 
many  smart  specialisation  areas  chosen  by  the  French  regions  (building,  mobility,  energy, 
agribusiness,…)  are  strongly  characterised  by  their  sustainability.  At  this  stage,  at  least  EUR  137 
million is foreseen for investments in R&I and adoption of low-carbon technologies in France, but this 
might increase further in line with the evolving content of the smart specialisation strategies. 

11