Italian electricity producer ERG SpA has commissioned a new 18-megawatt onshore wind farm in the French region of Pas-de-Calais, continuing its strategy of direct investment in the French market. The site, named Picardie I, consists of five Vestas V112 turbines, each with a unit capacity of 3.6 megawatts, with an estimated annual output of 48 gigawatt hours.
A 20-year contract secures revenue
ERG stated that the project is backed by a 20-year contract for difference (CFD), ensuring a fixed tariff and limiting exposure to market price fluctuations. The wind farm is expected to operate at over 2,600 equivalent full-load hours per year. Based on available data, the production is sufficient to meet the annual electricity needs of approximately 15,000 households.
Growth supported by internal development
The entire project, from development to commissioning, was carried out by ERG’s internal teams without relying on acquisitions or joint ventures. This approach enables the company to better control costs, timelines, and the operational performance of its assets. ERG SpA Chief Executive Officer Paolo Merli stated that this operation “strengthens our presence in France,” adding that the country is now the group’s second most strategic market.
Expansion of asset portfolio
With the addition of Picardie I, ERG brings its total installed capacity in France to 733 megawatts, covering both wind and solar projects. The group continues to reinforce its position in the French market through a strategy based on direct investments and contractually secured revenue streams.
The French market remains one of the most accessible in Europe for independent power producers, notably due to a regulatory framework based on long-term contracts that ensures financial visibility for energy projects.
