The French government has announced the winners of a tender for two floating wind farms in the Mediterranean, marking a significant advancement in renewable energy. Ocean Winds and Éolien en mer participations will develop projects in the Narbonnaise region and off Fos-sur-Mer, respectively. These initiatives aim to contribute to France’s goal of achieving 18 GW of offshore wind energy by 2035, with commitments to local industrial development and strong environmental measures, including recycling requirements for turbines.
Government Announces Winners for Floating Wind Farms in the Mediterranean
In a significant move for renewable energy, the French government has disclosed the winners of a tender for two pioneering floating wind farms in the Mediterranean this morning. Located over 25 kilometers offshore, these projects mark a groundbreaking step in France’s wind energy initiatives. Ocean Winds, a joint venture of EDP Renewables and Engie, and Éolien en mer participations, a subsidiary of the Caisse des dépôts et consignation, have been awarded the “Floating Wind Turbines of Occitanie” project. This site lies in the Narbonnaise region, nestled between Agde (Hérault) and Port-la-Nouvelle (Aude). Meanwhile, the “Golfe de Fos” project, situated off Fos-sur-Mer (Bouches-du-Rhône), has been secured by Éoliennes Méditerranée Grand Large, which includes stakeholders from EDF Renouvelables and Maple Power.
Path to Tender Success: A Journey of Commitment
The results of this tender are the outcome of an extensive and meticulous process. A national public debate, orchestrated by the CNDP, took place from July to October 2021 before the competitive bidding officially commenced in March 2022. By April 2024, the specifications were made public, leading to five proposals being submitted to the Energy Regulatory Commission (CRE) in August. The CRE announced its decision on November 29. The announcement of winners had been delayed due to the previous government’s censorship.
France is ambitiously aiming to achieve 18 gigawatts (18,000 megawatts) of operational offshore wind energy by 2035, scaling up to 45 GW by 2050. “The awarding of these two Mediterranean projects brings the total power of projects either operational, under construction, or in development on French coasts to nearly 5.3 GW,” stated the Ministry of Industry and Energy. Currently, three fixed wind farms are functional in France, located off the coasts of Fécamp, Saint-Nazaire, and Saint-Brieuc. According to Marc Hirt, CEO of Ocean Winds France, “By 2050, wind energy is projected to account for 20 to 25% of France’s energy production, second only to nuclear power.”
Investment for the Golfe de Fos project is expected to surpass one billion euros, with a fixed electricity purchase price set at 85.90 euros per MWh (megawatt-hour). In comparison, the Floating Wind Turbines of Occitanie project anticipates a cost of 92.7 euros per MWh for an investment exceeding 800 million euros. For context, the fixed wind farm off Dunkirk has a purchasing price of 44 euros per MW, but its proximity to the coast makes its connections less costly. The floating farms, while less visible, entail higher expenses due to their distance from the shore.
EDF Renouvelables is also gearing up to launch its inaugural floating wind farm, Provence Grand Large, near Fos, featuring three turbines aimed at testing the new technology. Future developments will focus on commercial projects. “The Golfe de Fos project is designed to generate around 250 megawatts, catering to the energy needs of approximately 450,000 residents,” explained Benoîte Chenut, project lead at EDF Renouvelables. These farms will be established in waters ranging from 90 to 110 meters deep, necessitating the use of floating turbines rather than traditional fixed ones. Each turbine, with a maximum total of 19, could produce 20 MW, a notable increase from the 8.4 MW capacity of the initial three turbines already installed. “We are actively exploring the technologies that will be available by the project’s completion date,” added Chenut, with construction slated to initiate in 2029 and full commissioning expected by the end of 2031.
Ocean Winds plans to kick off construction in early 2030, relying on innovative technology developed by PPI design, known for its unique cubic floats filled with water, which are designed to be more cost-effective. The turbines are projected to yield a capacity of 21.5 MW. “However, this technology is still in its developmental phase. There’s a lot that can change by 2030; we remain adaptable to new technological advancements, potentially upgrading to even more powerful turbines,” Hirt noted. This wind farm is anticipated to feature around a dozen masts, with turbines potentially reaching heights of 300 meters!
As the winners embark on these projects, they will conduct environmental impact assessments, secure necessary permits, select industrial partners, and finalize project financing. Additionally, these initiatives may be expanded under the upcoming tender call at the decade’s end.
“We have committed to ensuring that 50% of the project development occurs in France, which is crucial for nurturing this industrial sector within the regions,” Chenut emphasized. The winners have also pledged strong environmental commitments, with EDF Renouvelables allocating 25 million euros towards enhancing environmental knowledge and implementing compensatory measures. The wind turbines are required to be recycled at least 90% at the end of their operational lifespan, projected for around 2061. This timeline allows for the establishment of a local recycling sector. The overarching goal is to minimize the projects’ carbon footprint while recycling components, including rare metals, within France to bolster the nation’s energy sovereignty.