French Renewable Energy Mapping Portal Enhanced for Local Planning Needs

The French government has upgraded its renewable energy mapping portal to enhance the planning of renewable energy acceleration zones, a crucial step under new legislation designating local authorities as primary planners for energy production. This updated portal aims to equip municipalities with detailed geographical and energy resource data to facilitate efficient planning.

As of April 2024, over 12,000 municipalities have registered active accounts on the portal, and it has documented more than 700,000 acceleration zones throughout France. The second version of the portal, which was launched in May 2023, boasts improved functionalities tailored for various user profiles, facilitating data management and enhancing user experience.

The portal aggregates a wealth of data related to renewable energy potentials—including solar and heat networks—as well as existing installations, energy distribution networks, land use, and environmental considerations. It has been developed collaboratively by the Ministry of Energy Transition, Cerema, and the National Institute of Geographic and Forest Information (IGN).

A community of over 1,500 users actively engages on a collaborative platform, sharing resources and improving the portal's usability. This platform hosts online meetings and offers a Q&A section, in addition to tutorials and guides to assist local authorities in effectively utilizing the portal to advance their renewable energy zones.

The initiative intends to provide local authorities with comprehensive insights into renewable energy resources, thereby empowering them in decision-making concerning energy sustainability in their regions.