France Moves to Lock In Winter 2030-31 Capacity Four Years Ahead

France is preparing its first long-term capacity auction, seeking to secure power availability for the winter of 2030-31 — four years before delivery begins. The energy regulator CRE has submitted a proposed methodology to the Ministry of Energy for conducting the auction.

According to analysis by transmission system operator RTE, as reported by ESS News, total procurement for the target winter season is set at 82 GW, with 3 GW ring-fenced specifically for multi-year contracts. RTE separately estimates the grid’s additional need for new installations at between zero and 2.5 GW.

The mechanism would provide regular payments to battery storage operators, generators, and demand-response providers in exchange for guaranteed availability during peak load periods. Participants face an unusual structural challenge, however: storage operators must commit to the 2030-31 season before contracts for the three preceding winters have been awarded, leaving investors to assess returns without the benefit of any comparable prior rounds.

To contain costs for end consumers, CRE is pursuing cautious price parameters and proposes retaining two capacity price ceilings — PPG at €72 per kilowatt and PPI at €15 per kilowatt. Industrial energy storage systems receive particular attention in the certification requirements. CRE has indicated it will refine storage-specific rules once results from the first auctions are available.

Source: ESS News (pv magazine)