Opportunities of acceleration areas for renewables

Improve Your Market Monitoring by Identifying Renewable Energy Acceleration Zones (ZAEnR)

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On May 18, 2022, the European Commission proposed the creation of “renewables go-to areas” designed to accelerate renewable energy deployment across Member States.

In France, these areas became the Zones d’Accélération de la Production d’Énergie Renouvelable (ZAEnR) following the adoption of the APER Law (Law n° 2023-175 of 10 March 2023). Under this framework, municipalities must define acceleration zones suitable for the installation of renewable energy projects. These zones are established after a public consultation process, allowing residents to be informed and provide feedback.

Municipalities are required to propose zones suitable for renewable energy development — primarily photovoltaics, but also wind, geothermal, biogas, solar thermal, and hydropower — while retaining the ability to exclude certain areas.

Once defined, these zones are submitted to the Prefect, who compiles a departmental map for the Regional Energy Committee. This committee evaluates whether the proposed areas are sufficient to meet regional energy objectives. If not, municipalities may be asked to designate additional zones.

After approval by the municipal council, these zones will host future renewable energy projects and may give rise to public tenders (see examples of public tenders for photovoltaic, geothermal, biomass, energy storage…). Knowing the ZAEnR is therefore essential to anticipate upcoming projects and prepare market intelligence early.
To explore how to detect renewable projects upstream, you can read our dedicated article:
How to identify renewable energy projects in France

Municipalities do not need to specify the exact type of renewable energy installation (as they are not technical experts). Instead, they must designate locations with strong development potential, considering local constraints, available surfaces, and installed capacity. A ZAEnR may therefore cover any building or land plot, whether or not it is currently equipped with renewable energy systems.

To deepen your understanding of how to identify solar projects early, see: How to identify photovoltaic projects in France

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2024–2025 Update: ZAEnR as a Cornerstone of France’s Energy Planning

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Since the APER Law came into force, ZAEnR have become a central pillar of renewable energy planning. They help:

• accelerate project permitting within designated areas,
  
  
• provide greater visibility for developers,
  
  
• simplify administrative procedures,
  
  
• guide where future tenders are most likely to emerge.
  
  

To learn how to structure an effective tender monitoring process around these emerging zones, you can read our article How to set up a French public procurement watch

Many organizations now also rely on artificial intelligence to detect ZAEnR, identify weak signals, and automate early-stage opportunity mapping.
How AI is revolutionizing tender monitoring in France and internationally

ZAEnR are often linked to upstream processes such as Calls for Expressions of Interest (CEIs/EOIs), particularly in the solar sector. To better understand this mechanism: Call for Expressions of Interest (CEI) for photovoltaics

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Examples

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Here are two recent examples of municipal council resolutions defining ZAEnR:

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The new municipality of Plateau d'Hauteville in the Ain department (01)
Municipal Council Resolution
Meeting of September 25, 2024

SUBJECT: Request for an opinion on the proposed departmental map of renewable energy acceleration zones

Summary :

Following the public consultation of residents held from January 20 to February 20, 2024, the Commune proposed acceleration zones corresponding to areas deemed preferential for the installation of renewable energy production facilities.

The Commune of Plateau d'Hauteville aimed to protect the quality of life of its residents and the quality of the area for tourists, while taking into account the challenges of the territory and promoting the development of renewable energy production installations.
The Commune does not wish to develop wind energy, given that the local wind resources are not exceptional, and in order to preserve the landscape quality.
It also does not intend to develop biogas and methanation, as local resources are not considered attractive. However, the Commune has proposed to develop:

• Biomass energy by developing heat networks and hot water production from its production units;
• Photovoltaic energy – both large-scale installations and rooftop systems;
• Solar thermal energy, with an additional thermal power plant project linked to existing boiler rooms;
• Geothermal energy from water borehole sources;
• Geocooling (a natural cooling method using underground temperatures).

The following renewable energy acceleration zones are CONFIRMED for inclusion in the map established by the Prefecture of Ain’s services:

Hauteville-Lompnes

• Angeville Rehabilitation Center, Hauteville-Lompnes, cadastral parcels 185 section K nos. 392 to 394; K nos. 1063 to 1066
• Hauteville Public Hospital, Albarine Unit, Hauteville-Lompnes, cadastral parcels 185 section K no. 358; K no. 362; K no. 1067
• Hauteville Public Hospital, Inter Unit, Hauteville-Lompnes, parcels 185 section A no. 228; A no. 817
• Orcet Medical Center, Hauteville-Lompnes, cadastral parcels 185 section A nos. 352; A no. 354; A no. 477; A no. 575
• Orcet-Mangini Center, Hauteville-Lompnes, cadastral parcels 185 section A nos. 896; A no. 905; A no. 998
• Paul Sixdenier College, Hauteville-Lompnes, cadastral parcels 185 section B nos. 532; B no. 739; B no. 947; B no. 952; B no. 1077; B no. 1120; B no. 1125; B no. 1126; B no. 1127; B no. 1133
• Dr. Crépin Street, Hauteville-Lompnes, cadastral parcels 185 section ZO nos. 19; ZO no. 33; ZO no. 36
• La Cornella, Hauteville-Lompnes, cadastral parcel 185 section E no. 625
• Molard Grana, Hauteville-Lompnes, cadastral parcel 185 section D nos. 524; D no. 92
• Municipal Technical Center, Hauteville-Lompnes, cadastral parcel 185 section C no. 845
• Casino, Hauteville-Lompnes, cadastral parcels 185 section B nos. 380; B no. 688
• Dr. Rougy Square, Hauteville-Lompnes, cadastral parcels 185 section K no. 407; 185 section B no. 968
• Town Hall, Hauteville-Lompnes, cadastral parcel 185 section B no. 972
• La Cornella Quarry, Hauteville-Lompnes, cadastral parcel 185 section L no. 1076

‍Cormaranche-en-Bugey ‍

• Lieu-dit Les Teillère, Cormaranche-en-Bugey, parcelle cadastrée 122 section ZD n°66
• Maison Familiale Rurale, lieu-dit Golet de l’Alagnier, parcelle cadastrée 122 section F n°770
• Rue de la Scierie, Cormaranche-en-Bugey, parcelles cadastrées 122 section G n°1219 ; section G n°1751 

Hostiaz

•  Au Petit Nuet, Hostiaz, parcelles cadastrées 186 section ZD n°51 à 52
•  Rue du Hangar, Cormaranche-en-Bugey, parcelles cadastrées 122 section G n°284 ; G n°286 ; G n°1083 ; G n°1680 ; G n°1775 à 1776 ; G n°1778 ; G n°1780 à 1782
•  Ecole primaire, Cormaranche-en-Bugey, parcelle cadastrée 122 section G n°1467 

Thézillieu

• Parcelles cadastrées 417 section E n° 91 ; E n°123 à 127 ; E n°136 à 137 ; E n° 139 à 140 ; E n°142 ; E n°144 ; E n°146 à 148 ; E n°154 ; E n°156 à 157 ; E n°162 à 164 ; E n°167 ; E n°169 à 170 ; E n°172 ; E n°174 à 177 ; E n°180 à 181 ; E n° 183 à 184 ; E n°188 ; E n°191 à 192 ; E n° 195 à 196 ; E n° 200 à 202 ; E n°206 à 205 ; E n°208 à 210 ; E n°212 à 217 ; E n°221 à 235 ; E n° 246 à 248 ; E n°601 ; E n°682 ; E n°824 ; E n°827 à 831 ; E n°841 à 842 ; E n°865 à 869 ; E n°883 ; E n°885 à 890 ; E n°894 ; n°903 à 904 ; E n°906 à 914 ; E n°916 à 918 ; E n°920 ; E n°932 ; E n°935 à 938 ; E n°941 à 946 ; E n°948 ; E n°952 ; E n°954 ; E n°969 à 970 ; E n°973 à 976 ; E n°991 ; E n°993 à 998 ; E n°999 à 1001 ; E n°1007 à 1014 ; E n°1017 à 1021 ; E n°1025 ; E n°1028 à 1029 ; E n°1031 à 1032 ; E n°1034 ; E n°1036 à 1037
• Parcelles cadastrées 417 section H n°1016 ; H n°1018 à 1024 ; H n°1033 ; H n°1293 à 1294
• Parcelles cadastrées 417 section WW n° 39 à 41 ; n°56 à 57 ; 
• Parcelles cadastrées 417 section WZ n°35 à 37

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Saint-Just-Saint-Rambert in Auvergne Rhône-Alpes (42)
Municipal Council Resolution
Meeting of September 19, 2024

SUBJECT: Definition of Renewable Energy Production Acceleration Zones (ZAEnR) on the municipal territory

Summary :

It is proposed to limit the ZAEnR in the commune of Saint-Just-Saint-Rambert to the following renewable energies:

• Photovoltaic
• Geothermal energy
• Heating and cooling networks

And to define them as follows:

• Photovoltaic: To be studied for all roofs of residential and other buildings located in U and AU zones, excluding the prospection zones of the French Buildings Authority (the town center of Saint-Rambert), as well as an A zone located around Avenue Chapoton.
• Geothermal energy: To be studied in A and AU zones, as well as in an area located around Avenue Chapoton.

Heating network:

• A network to be studied in Saint-Rambert, covering the Retirement Home of the Loire, the Unchats complex, the pier, the Multipurpose Hall, Anne Frank Middle School, the Nursery, and the Kindergarten.
• A network to be studied in Saint-Just, covering the Bonbonnière, the Passerelle, Érables School, Tilleuls School, the Dojo, and Saint-Joseph Church.

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‍Conclusion

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ZAEnR now play a decisive role in identifying future renewable energy opportunities across France. They provide clarity on where solar, geothermal, biomass or thermal projects are encouraged and likely to emerge.

For developers, EPC companies, engineering firms and consultants, mastering these zones — and integrating them into a structured monitoring strategy — makes it possible to detect opportunities long before a public tender is published. With the ZAEnR, prospecting becomes more targeted, more efficient, and closely aligned with territorial priorities.

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