France: a reform to accelerate offshore wind deployment?

The development of offshore wind power is a priority for France to achieve its energy transition objectives. However, project appraisal times and the concentration of allocations pose challenges.

Partagez:

France must speed up the time required to appraise offshore wind projects to achieve its development objectives and encourage competition, according to Emmanuelle Wargon, president of the Commission for Energy Regulation (CRE), which examines the files. The EDF Renewables consortium has been commissioned to build the eighth commercial offshore wind farm off the Contentin coast by 2031. While France is considering the construction of about fifty parks by 2050, Wargon proposes to call more power at once to go faster and diversify the actors involved. It also wants the specifications to be strengthened to ensure the viability of the projects.

The proposed tariff for the electricity produced represents 70% of the selection criteria and the prices offered by the applicants are currently very low. Wargon considers that this is good news for public finances, provided that it is sustainable for project developers. It mobilized an abnormally low bidding procedure to verify that the low-priced bids were sustainable for the Normandy tender.

To accelerate the construction of offshore wind farms, Wargon proposes to massify the calls for tender. This could be done by planning areas by sea front and calling for more power, such as 2, 3, or 4 GW of power, over several lots, instead of one lot of 1 GW. It also suggests shortening the project appraisal process by publishing specifications directly, which would save about six months and could be applied to future calls for tender.

In order to meet its offshore wind development objectives, France must accelerate project appraisal times, encourage competition and increase the number of tenders. Wargon proposes concrete measures to achieve these goals and ensure the viability of future projects.

ACCIONA Energía transfers the San Juan de Marcona wind farm to Luz del Sur S.A.A., a major player in Peru's energy sector, for up to USD 253 million, pending necessary regulatory approvals.
German operator Encavis AG strengthens its portfolio by acquiring two wind farms in Lower Saxony and Saxony, totalling 59 MW, in a transaction with Energiequelle GmbH, thereby expanding its renewable energy assets.
Ocergy officially launches an industrial project aiming to install by 2028 a new-generation floating wind turbine of over 15 MW, in partnership with EnBW, Kyuden Mirai, and TEPCO Renewable Power.
Inaugurated on 20 June, the five-turbine plant of wpd onshore France feeds 18 MW into the grid and unlocks new tax revenue for four Côtes-d’Armor municipalities.
Statkraft refocuses investments on flexible Nordic hydropower and reduces commitments in offshore wind and hydrogen to lower operating costs, amid an uncertain economic environment and pressured profitability.
Suzlon Group receives third consecutive order from AMPIN Energy Transition to supply 170.1 MW of wind turbines for a project in India's Andhra Pradesh state, strengthening their strategic industrial partnership.
The Muir Mhòr floating wind project secures Aberdeenshire's onshore consent, paving the way for the potential production of one gigawatt of electricity, enough to power up to 1.2 million British homes by the early 2030s.
Iberdrola España and Renfe conclude a virtual power purchase agreement for 370 GWh per year for ten years, strengthening the use of renewable energy in Spanish railway transport.
TotalEnergies has been awarded a concession in the North Sea enabling the development of a 1GW offshore wind project, reinforcing its strategic presence in Germany.
With an annual increase of 14%, global offshore wind capacity now reaches 85.2 gigawatts, driven mainly by China, the United Kingdom, and Germany, while another 27.3 gigawatts are currently under construction.
Seabed exploration begins in Jammerland Bay to validate the placement of sixteen turbines and the cable corridor, the first tangible step before construction of the project led by TotalEnergies and European Energy.
RWE and Østermark Entreprenørforretning celebrate advanced construction of the operational building for Denmark's largest offshore wind farm, promising up to 60 permanent local jobs by 2026.
RWE and Amazon Web Services enter a strategic collaboration to supply renewable energy for data centres and accelerate digital capabilities within the global energy sector.
SSE Renewables inaugurated its first wind farm in Southern Europe in Chaintrix-Bierges and Vélye, with eight Siemens Gamesa turbines and an investment exceeding €30mn ($32.3mn).
The Astenn Avel consortium, led by Elicio and Q ENERGY, brings in VALOREM to bid for the 500 MW floating wind project planned off the coast of Southern Brittany.
The Canada Infrastructure Bank supports the construction of the Mesgi'g Ugju's'n 2 wind farm, co-owned by Mi'gmaq communities and Innergex, through a combined equity and debt financing package.
The first turbine of the Éoliennes Flottantes du Golfe du Lion project was assembled at Port-La Nouvelle, marking a major industrial milestone for Ocean Winds and its partners.
RWE inaugurated an onshore wind farm in Plounérin and Plounévez-Moëdec, featuring four turbines with a capacity of 14.7 MW, in partnership with the local SEM Lannion-Trégor.
The Moulins wind farm, made up of five turbines, was inaugurated on June 6 across three municipalities in the Douaisis region. It will generate €70,000 in annual tax revenue for local authorities.
Chinese firm SANY Renewable Energy enters Serbia through a 168 MW wind deal aimed at powering the local grid from 2028.