Renewable energies

A pioneer in the late 1990s with the launch of public policies to promote renewable energies, Eastern France is a leader in the energy revolution.

Key figures

• 30 billion for the ecological transition
• 2021/22: 6.7 billion euros invested in the thermal renovation of buildings
• 49,000 companies and 135,000 employees

Eastern France, committed on all fronts

Eastern France is one of France’s leading producers of biogas (15% of national production), wind power (22%) and biomass (22%). It is also the French centre for the technological development and exploitation of deep geothermal energy (electrical and thermal). Finally, thanks to the forest of the Vosges massif, it is one of the leading producers of wood energy.

The range of renewable energies in Eastern France includes hydroelectricity, wind power, solar photovoltaic, wood energy, geothermal, aerothermal, solar thermal and agrofuels. Developments in deep geothermal energy have also led to the detection of high concentrations of lithium in groundwater. The industrial exploitation of this resource is currently being studied.

Clusters, training: renewable energies at the heart of research

Two clusters are deploying their forces on the subject of renewable energy. These are Biogaz vallée, which focuses on the methanisation of agricultural and agro-industrial residues or on the selective collection of bio-waste, and the Materalia competitiveness cluster, which supports projects working for the energy transition.

At the same time, Eastern France trains engineers and researchers through its universities and public research bodies. It also offers specific training courses in renewable energies, such as the wind farm maintenance technician course in Charleville-Mézières, the BZEE (BildungZentrum für Erneuerbare Energien) world certification, and soon GWO (Global Wind Organisation).

Renewable energy companies have chosen Eastern France

The region is an ideal host for all initiatives in the field of renewable energy, in synergy with the building industry. Well-known players in the field have set up shop here.