First floating wind turbine in Occitanie successfully installed off the Gulf of Lion

The first of three floating wind turbines from the Éoliennes flottantes du golfe du Lion project has been installed offshore, marking a major milestone for the industrial sector off the coast of Leucate and Barcarès.

Share:

Comprehensive energy news coverage, updated nonstop

Annual subscription

8.25£/month*

*billed annually at 99£/year for the first year then 149,00£/year ​

Unlimited access • Archives included • Professional invoice

OTHER ACCESS OPTIONS

Monthly subscription

Unlimited access • Archives included

5.2£/month*
then 14.90£ per month thereafter

FREE ACCOUNT

3 articles offered per month

FREE

*Prices are excluding VAT, which may vary depending on your location or professional status

Since 2021: 35,000 articles • 150+ analyses per week

The first floating wind turbine from the Éoliennes flottantes du golfe du Lion (EFGL) project, developed by Ocean Winds and Banque des Territoires, has been successfully installed 16 kilometres off the coasts of Leucate and Barcarès. This operation marks the start of the deployment of the three turbines intended to make up the first pilot wind farm in Occitanie, with a unit power of 10 megawatts (MW), making them the most powerful floating machines ever installed in France.

Maritime logistics and enhanced safety

The maritime transport of these wind turbines required exceptional logistical resources. With a total weight of nearly 5,000 tonnes, the first turbine was taken out of Port-La Nouvelle by three tugboats before being towed to its installation site by a high-sea tug. A 500-metre exclusion perimeter around the wind turbine was established for the entire duration of the operation to ensure convoy safety, accompanied by several assistance and surveillance vessels.

The offshore installation of this first wind turbine forms part of the ongoing works started at the end of 2023, notably including the laying of nine anchors and mooring lines, each between 400 and 500 metres long. These pieces of equipment ensure the stability of the floaters for the intended twenty-year operating period.

Interconnection and next assembly step

In the spring, Réseau de Transport d’Électricité (RTE) had already completed the installation of the submarine cable connecting the wind farm to the onshore grid. The installed wind turbine was then able to be connected to synthetic ropes and firmly anchored. The electrical connection of the three turbines, to each other and then to the head of the submarine cable, will be the next key stage of the project.

Onshore, the assembly of the second wind turbine has already been completed and its transfer to sea is scheduled for the coming days. The new port basin at Port-La Nouvelle is being used as the assembly and temporary storage site. At the same time, the third turbine will soon begin assembly on its floater in preparation for offshore installation by the end of August.

Industrial coordination and regional mobilisation

The entire project involves the coordination of specialised industrial players such as Euroports for port handling, Vestas for turbine supply and maintenance, and Eiffage Métal and Smulders for ballasting and maritime transport. The work is carried out under the supervision of Ocean Winds and Banque des Territoires, with the participation of regional and national subcontractors. More than 2,000 visitors have followed the progress of the project at an information point set up at Port-La Nouvelle.

The installation of all three turbines within the planned schedule will allow the Occitanie region to integrate one of the very first pilot floating wind farms in the Mediterranean.

Driven by solid operational performance, Nordex has raised its 2025 EBITDA margin forecast to 7.5–8.5%, up from the previous 5–7%, following a significant improvement in preliminary third-quarter results.
Neoen’s Goyder South Wind Farm reaches full generation capacity, strengthening the French group’s presence in Australia’s energy market with 412 MW connected to the grid.
The Australian government has granted environmental approval for the 108 MW Waddi Wind Farm, a Tilt Renewables project with construction costs exceeding $400mn.
The 180 MW Nimbus wind project enters its final phase of construction in Arkansas, with commercial operation scheduled for early 2026.
Faced with market uncertainty in Europe, Siemens Gamesa pauses a planned industrial investment in Esbjerg, highlighting structural difficulties in the offshore wind sector.
Institutional deadlock in France delays tenders and weakens the offshore wind sector, triggering job cuts and major industrial withdrawals from the market.
The Lithuanian energy group has signed a EUR 318 million financing agreement for its 314 MW wind project, the largest in the Baltic states.
German group BayWa r.e. has tasked Enercoop Bretagne with implementing a citizen investment scheme for its planned wind farm in Plouisy, aiming for shared governance and stronger local involvement.
US wind capacity fell in Q2, but developers anticipate a sharp increase by late 2025, with 46 GW of new capacity forecast by 2029 and a peak in 2027.
Engie has signed a renewable electricity supply contract with Apple covering 173 MW of installed capacity in Italy, with commissioning scheduled between 2026 and 2027.
Renova a soumis une méthodologie d’évaluation environnementale pour un projet éolien terrestre de 280MW à Higashidori, renforçant son positionnement sur les technologies renouvelables au Japon.
The joint venture between BP and JERA ends its offshore wind ambitions in the United States, citing an unfavourable economic and regulatory environment for continuing the development of the Beacon Wind project.
With a 300 MW partnership signed with Nadara, Q ENERGY exceeds 1 GW of wind repowering projects in France, reinforcing its position in a market driven by public investment dynamics.
The acquisition of Cosmic Group by FairWind consolidates its position in Australia and marks a strategic expansion into New Zealand and Japan.
Danish manufacturer Vestas has paused construction of its planned facility in Poland, originally set for 2026, citing weaker-than-expected European offshore wind demand.
British operator Equitix has been selected to take over transmission assets of the Neart na Gaoithe offshore wind farm, a £450mn ($547mn) project awarded under Ofgem’s tenth tender round.
Energiequelle GmbH has launched replacement work for old turbines at its Minden-Hahlen site, aiming for long-term structural maintenance with the installation of three new 200-metre machines.
GE Vernova will equip the Ialomiţa wind farm with 42 turbines of 6.1 MW, strengthening its presence in the European onshore wind sector with a 252 MW project in partnership with Greenvolt.
Eversource Energy posts a one-time $75mn charge linked to unforeseen costs in the Revolution Wind project, while tightening its 2025 earnings forecast.
The Renewables Infrastructure Group has signed a ten-year power purchase agreement with Virgin Media O2 for its onshore wind farms in the United Kingdom, ensuring price stability for both parties.

All the latest energy news, all the time

Annual subscription

8.25£/month*

*billed annually at 99£/year for the first year then 149,00£/year ​

Unlimited access - Archives included - Pro invoice

Monthly subscription

Unlimited access • Archives included

5.2£/month*
then 14.90£ per month thereafter

*Prices shown are exclusive of VAT, which may vary according to your location or professional status.

Since 2021: 30,000 articles - +150 analyses/week.