Ailes Marines, a subsidiary of the Iberdrola Group, has successfully announced the installation of the first wind turbine in the offshore wind farm located in the Bay of Saint-Brieuc, marking the first offshore wind turbine in Brittany, France. Installation of the remaining 61 wind turbines has also begun, with a phased commissioning process planned. The construction and assembly of these wind turbines will generate about 900 jobs in the port of Le Havre, while about 40 jobs will be created for the installation of the electrical equipment on the Brest polder.
The first wind turbine at sea in Brittany
On May 11, Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy, Ailes Marines’ contractor, installed the first wind turbine of the Saint-Brieuc offshore wind farm. The operation was carried out with the help of the self-propelled vessel “Brave Tern” of the Norwegian company Fred Olsen Windcarrier. The first wind turbine, located at position SB44 in the northern part of the site, marks an important step as the first offshore wind turbine in Brittany.
Emmanuel Rollin, CEO of Iberdrola France, said: “The successful installation of the first offshore wind turbine of the Saint-Brieuc wind farm is a great day for Brittany and the project. It means that we are entering the final phase of construction, which will enable the production of renewable and low-carbon energy for the people of Brittany. After more than a decade of effort and commitment from the Brittany region, local stakeholders and the Iberdrola team, this first wind turbine, manufactured in Le Havre and equipped in Brest, represents the culmination of a remarkable industrial adventure of which we can be extremely proud.”
With the beginning of the installation phase of the wind turbines, a crucial step has been taken in the construction of the Saint-Brieuc wind farm. In the coming months, the installation vessel Brave Tern will make several trips from Le Havre, carrying the components of four wind turbines on each voyage. The wind turbines for the Saint-Brieuc project are manufactured in France at the Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy industrial site, located in the port of Le Havre.
About 900 jobs are dedicated to the construction and assembly of these wind turbines in the dedicated factory. Before the installation, the masts of the 62 wind turbines are equipped by Haizea Wind on the polder of Brest. This new industrial activity continues to provide work for approximately 40 people involved in the mechanical and electrical assembly of the internal components of the masts.
A clean energy for Brittany: the offshore wind project in the Bay of Saint-Brieuc
As the winner of a national tender for the development of the offshore wind farm in the Bay of Saint-Brieuc, Ailes Marines is responsible for its development, construction, installation and operation. Ailes Marines is a French subsidiary wholly owned by Iberdrola.
Here are some key figures related to the offshore wind project in the Bay of Saint-Brieuc: the wind farm covers an area of 75 square kilometers and is equipped with 62 Siemens Gamesa SG 8.0-167 DD wind turbines with a capacity of 8 MW each. The total installed capacity of the wind farm is 496 MW, with an annual production of 1,820 GWh, which is equivalent to the annual electricity consumption of 835,000 inhabitants (including heating).
With the installation of the first offshore wind turbine in the Bay of Saint-Brieuc, Ailes Marines and its partners are paving the way for a more environmentally friendly future for Brittany. The offshore wind farm will not only contribute to the region’s renewable energy goals, but will also generate significant employment opportunities and stimulate the local economy.
