Additional Grid-E Aspects

• Gestionnaire du Réseau de Transport d’Électricité (RTE) – transmission grid operator
• Enedis (Formerly ERDF, Électricité Réseau Distribution France) – main distribution grid operator

Number of DSOs: 138

Source: Open Data GRD

As of 31 August 2024, 37.3 million users were equipped with a Linky meter in the Enedis territory, according to the data from the CRE. Nearly 2.1 million users were still equipped with an older-generation meter (still within the Enedis scope) at that date. In addition, there are households located in areas outside the Enedis scope, served by local distribution companies (ELD), where the deployment of Linky meters has not yet been completed.

The French Energy Regulator (CRE) has been promoting smart grids since 2010. CRE continues supporting the transition towards smart grids through project monitoring, operator assessments, and policy recommendations.

Finally, France is planning to invest €100 billion to enhance and expand the electricity grid by 2040. Furthermore, France is focusing on innovative projects to advance grid digitalisation. For instance, RTE is developing the 'Concept Grid,' an experimental platform designed to test and anticipate future developments in smart grids.

Total number of active electricity nationwide suppliers in the retail market 2024: 27

Among the 27 electricity suppliers, 13 suppliers offer electricity and natural gas contracts.

In France, the tariff methodology for the deployment of renewable energy systems, including in French islands, is primarily governed by the French Energy Code (Code de l'énergie). The Energy Code provides the legal framework for the development, operation, and support of renewable energy projects.

Areas not interconnected to the continental metropolitan network (ZNI), namely overseas territories and communities (excluding New Caledonia and French Polynesia which jurisdiction over energy), the Breton islands of Ponant (Sein, Molène, Ouessant et Chausey), as well as the Corsica, are "small isolated networks" within the meaning of European Directive No. 2009/72/EC of July 13, 2009.

The small size of these networks and the mainly insular nature of the territories concerned create strong constraints in terms of network supply and management electricity, the energy mix, supply and services in general, which generate high electricity generation costs. 

The energy transition in ZNIs is governed by multi-year energy programs (PPE) specific to each territory. These programs, developed jointly by the State and local authorities, define the objectives and means to be implemented to develop renewable energies and improve energy efficiency. The objective is to reduce dependence on fossil fuels. The law on the energy transition for green growth of August 17, 2015 sets an energy autonomy target for overseas departments by 2030.

Specific support mechanisms are also put in place to encourage the development of renewable energies in ZNIs. These mechanisms include purchasing schemes at preferential rates for electricity produced from renewable sources, such as purchase obligation contracts or additional remuneration. These measures aim to compensate for the additional costs associated with the production of renewable energy in these areas and to attract the investments needed to diversify the local energy mix.

There are currently no specific caps for renewable energy system (RES) installed capacity in the electrical network at the national level. However, there may be regional or local constraints or limitations on RES projects due to grid capacity, technical feasibility, or environmental considerations. These constraints are typically evaluated and managed by the relevant Distribution System Operators (DSOs) or Transmission System Operators (TSOs) in coordination with the regulatory authorities.

The French government has set renewable energy targets and objectives as part of its energy transition policies. These targets aim to increase the share of renewable energy in the overall energy mix and encourage the deployment of RES projects. However, these targets generally focus on overall renewable energy production rather than specific caps on installed capacity in the electrical network.