BayWa r.e. France job cuts, Digi Mart USA News (France): BayWa r.e. France is considering adapting its organization to strengthen competitiveness and secure its activities amid uncertainty in the renewable energy market.
The project, presented to employee representatives on October 19, could reduce headcount from 218 to 199 positions while consolidating the company’s two core businesses: project development and construction, and operation and maintenance of renewable installations.
According to the publisher’s report, the French renewable energy market has become durably tougher. Longer authorization and grid connection delays, a rising number of legal challenges, intensifying competition in tenders, and higher financing costs have all weighed on the sector.
Visibility has also declined following the postponement of the Multiannual Energy Programme (PPE3), which lowered the 2030 solar photovoltaic target from 54 GW to 48 GW, while the company awaits future tender volumes.
BayWa r.e. France, present in France since 2005, develops, builds and operates wind, solar and storage parks, and is directly exposed to these changes.
The company says measures taken since 2024, including rationalizing its wind portfolio, selling part of its projects, and carefully managing staffing and overhead costs, would not be sufficient on their own to eliminate the risk of operating losses without more structural changes.
The proposed project would rely on two complementary business units. One would focus on developing solar, wind and energy storage projects, a business that would be resized according to market prospects and prioritize projects with the best feasibility and profitability.
The other would focus on operating and maintaining installations, which would be accelerated. The company currently manages about 2 GW of assets in France and aims to reach 10 GW over time by gradually strengthening its teams and services for third-party clients.
Modernizing existing parks through repowering is also cited as a development priority.
The plan could result in a net reduction of 19 positions after the legal information and consultation process, including 36 permanent job eliminations, six of which are currently vacant, 16 employment contract modifications, and 17 new positions created. In consultation with social partners, management would propose support tailored to each affected employee, with particular attention to preserving skills.
Company president Renaud Chevallaz-Perrier said the sector is going through a difficult period marked by uncertainty about its outlook, and that the company’s priority is to preserve its teams and expertise. He said the proposed changes aim to anticipate market shifts while continuing the company’s commitment to the energy transition.
The company stated that all commitments to landowners, local authorities, investors, clients and partners are maintained, and that projects in development, construction or operation will continue unchanged.
