The French authorities have notified to the Commission four different projects intended to boost electricity production from renewable sources by granting a feed-in tariff or a top-up payment, including installations using energy extracted from geothermal deposits.
With specific regard to installations using geothermal energy, the Commission has observed that the potential number of projects is too limited to organize a competitive tender. In such cases, the Guidelines allow for the aid to be granted without going through a tender procedure. The Commission has also concluded that subjecting geothermal plants to competitive bidding with other technologies could jeopardize the long-term potential of this technology in France.