France’s first offshore windfarm, Saint-Nazaire, recently became fully operational (source: EDF Renewables)
Having just opened its first offshore windfarm, the 480-kW Saint-Nazaire project, France has launched tenders for two new ones with a total capacity of 2.5 GW
The plan was first detailed by OWJ in July 2022. The first of the two windfarms will be 35 km off Oléron island in the Atlantic (Nouvelle-Aquitaine). It will have a capacity of approximately 1 GW.
The second windfarm will be 38 km off the coast of Normandy. It will have a capacity of about 1.5 GW and is the second project in the area – the first one of around 1 GW is currently under tender.
Developers have until 23 December 2022 to submit their initial applications. This will be followed by a three-month process of ‘competitive dialogue,’ in which developers will be invited to discuss their projects with public authorities before submitting final bids February 2023.
The successful bidders for the windfarms will be awarded contracts at the end of 2023 or early in 2024.
