The French government has officially awarded two floating wind farm projects in the Mediterranean, each with a capacity of 250 MW. These projects are part of the national strategy to accelerate the energy transition and strengthen a green industrial sector in France.
Selected locations and designated companies
The first project, located in the “Narbonnaise” zone, over 25 kilometers off the coast between Agde (Hérault) and Port-la-Nouvelle (Aude), was awarded to a consortium consisting of Ocean Winds (a joint venture equally owned by Engie and EDPR) and Eolien en Mer Participation.
The second project, situated in the “Golfe de Fos” zone, off the coast of Fos-sur-Mer (Bouches-du-Rhône), will be developed by Eoliennes Méditerranée Grand Large, a company involving EDF Renouvelables and Maple Power.
Financial prospects and timelines
Ocean Winds, a partner of Caisse des Dépôts and Banque des Territoires, estimates a total investment of €800 million for its project. It will include 12 turbines of 21.5 MW each, measuring 163 meters to the nacelle and up to 300 meters in total height.
According to Marc Hirt, Managing Director of Ocean Winds France, a final investment decision is expected around 2029 or 2030, accounting for potential legal challenges. Construction could begin in the early 2030s.
Contract terms and industrial commitments
Both consortia have committed to fully recycling the wind turbines, including blades and magnets. They also plan to allocate 10% of the work, including studies, component manufacturing, and operations, to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
The electricity purchase price proposed by the companies, reviewed by the government, is set at €92.7 per megawatt-hour (MWh) for Ocean Winds.
A strategic framework for offshore wind
These new projects align with France’s objectives of developing 18 GW of offshore wind capacity by 2035 and 45 GW by 2050. Currently, the total capacity of offshore wind projects in operation, under construction, or in development is approximately 5.3 GW.
These initiatives follow the recent commissioning of the Fécamp and Saint-Brieuc wind farms and the awarding of a first floating wind project in spring 2024.
