The Prefect of Nord signed an official decree on February 14, 2025, authorising the creation and operation of an offshore wind farm located off Dunkirk. This project, which has sparked heated debate, is considered essential for addressing the energy crisis, particularly in terms of meeting the carbon neutrality goals set for 2050. The installation is planned to have a maximum capacity of 600 MW, producing around 2.3 TWh of electricity annually, thereby surpassing France’s three operational offshore wind farms. It will cover an area of 50 km², positioned about 10 km from the French coast and near the Belgian border.
In Belgium, the project has generated significant opposition. The Port of Ostend has sought legal action to prevent the wind farm from being constructed at this specific location, citing concerns over its potential impact on maritime navigation. On the French side, the Vent Debout 59 association, along with the League for the Protection of Birds (LPO), has also raised objections. They argue that the farm’s location within a Natura 2000 protected area, vital for biodiversity, threatens protected species, particularly migratory birds and cetaceans.
Although the public inquiry saw a majority of negative responses, the inquiry commission issued a favourable opinion, with several recommendations attached. Among them was the requirement for real-time acoustic monitoring during the noisiest phases of construction. Furthermore, despite 94.4% of the opinions collected during the inquiry being negative, the project continues to be supported by the French government as a key element of the national energy policy.
This wind farm is one of six offshore wind projects scheduled for commissioning in the coming years, contributing to the increase of wind energy in France’s energy mix. Several other projects are also in development or in the competitive bidding phase.
Impact on local stakeholders and opposition
Despite national enthusiasm for the project, local stakeholders, particularly fishermen and Belgian authorities, have expressed concerns about the wind farm’s potential impacts. The visual impact of the turbines, their influence on tourism, and environmental consequences remain significant points of concern. The legal challenge in Belgium reflects these tensions, with calls for a re-evaluation of the site location.
Perspectives for France’s energy transition
While the project is seen as a major step for the energy transition, it raises questions about managing environmental impacts and the compromises necessary to achieve renewable energy production targets. With several similar projects planned along France’s coastlines, the balance between sustainable development and environmental preservation will continue to be a subject of debate.
