France to invest massively in offshore wind power by 2024

France is increasing its investment in offshore wind power for 2024, aiming to triple its installed capacity and strengthen its position in the renewable energy market.

Share:

Investissement éolien offshore France

France has announced a significant increase in its investment in offshore wind power for 2024. The government plans to triple current installed capacity from 3.6 GW to 12 GW by 2030. This effort is an essential part of the national energy strategy aimed at diversifying energy sources and reducing dependence on fossil fuels.

Investment strategy

To achieve this objective, public and private investments of over 10 billion euros are planned. Recent invitations to tender for the construction of new offshore wind farms target strategic areas, notably off the coasts of Normandy and Brittany. These regions offer strong wind potential, which is crucial for maximizing energy production.
The French government has already awarded several contracts to major companies in the sector, including Siemens Gamesa and General Electric, for the supply and installation of the turbines. These companies are chosen for their technological expertise and their ability to provide robust, reliable solutions adapted to maritime conditions.

Impact on the energy market

The expansion of offshore wind power in France will play a key role in the evolution of the energy market. By increasing its production of renewable energy, France aims to reduce its imports of fossil fuels and stabilize energy costs over the long term. In addition, the increase in installed capacity should enable France to strengthen its position in the European energy market, by becoming a net exporter of renewable electricity.
Current and future offshore wind projects should also have an impact on electricity prices, with a possible reduction in costs for consumers thanks to increased and more stable production.

Challenges and opportunities

However, this expansion is not without its challenges. Financing these projects requires considerable capital mobilization and close coordination between the public and private sectors. What’s more, integrating this new capacity into the national grid will require significant improvements to transmission infrastructure.
Despite these challenges, opportunities abound. Increased offshore wind capacity could boost the local economy, particularly in the regions where the wind farms are built, by creating jobs and attracting additional investment.
France is making major strategic investments in offshore wind power, with ambitious targets for 2030. These investments should strengthen the country’s position in the renewable energy market and deliver substantial economic and energy benefits. The success of this initiative will depend on the country’s ability to overcome financial and infrastructural challenges, while capitalizing on the opportunities offered by this energy transition.

Energiekontor AG has secured contracts for four wind projects with a total capacity of 125 megawatts, following the Federal Network Agency's May 2025 tender in Germany.
Ecopetrol S.A. finalises the acquisition of Wind Autogeneración from Enel S.A.S., thereby taking over the Windpeshi wind project in Colombia, with a planned capacity of 205 MW, aimed at the Colombian oil group's energy self-consumption.
Oceanic Wind Energy Inc. and Coast Tsimshian Enterprises Ltd. secured an exclusive investigative use permit in the Hecate Strait, paving the way for Canada's first major offshore wind project, targeting capacity of up to 700 MW.
German manufacturer Nordex will supply 13 N163/6.X wind turbines to developer SAB WindTeam for a 91 MW wind farm in Brandenburg, with commissioning scheduled for early 2027 and an extended 20-year service agreement.
EDF is delaying the start-up of the Calvados offshore wind farm by more than two years, citing extended adjustments to a drilling tool vital for installing the sixty-four monopile foundations off Courseulles-sur-Mer.
German company NeXtWind signs historic €1.4 billion debt financing to accelerate expansion and modernisation of its onshore wind farms and reach a total capacity of 3 GW by 2028.
Energy company TGS has won a major high-resolution geophysical imaging contract for offshore wind site characterization in Norway, strengthening its position in this rapidly growing market.
Iberdrola Australia secures crucial approval from Australian authorities to begin metocean studies for its 3GW Aurora Green offshore project off the coast of Victoria, marking a decisive stage in its development.
ENGIE begins full operation of the Red Sea Wind Energy wind farm in Egypt, increasing its capacity to 650 MW, four months ahead of schedule, now powering over one million homes in the region.
Tokyo Gas, through TOWII Renewables, a joint venture with EWII, purchases two onshore wind projects developed by Finnish company Puhuri, totalling 74.4 MW, marking its expansion beyond the Danish market.
The European Investment Bank grants EWE AG historic €450mn financing for the installation of 2,600 km of underground power lines and the upgrade of over 1,100 substations in Lower Saxony.
Japan’s Ministry of Industry and Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy launch a strategic partnership to develop local offshore wind supply chains and strengthen the country's industrial competitiveness in this energy sector.
Energiekontor AG confirms financial close for the Nartum wind farm, adding 23 megawatts to its owned portfolio and starting the construction phase in the Rotenburg district, Lower Saxony.
Airloom Energy begins construction of a pilot site in Wyoming to test an innovative turbine aimed at enhancing American energy security in the face of anticipated growth in electricity demand.
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.
France officially commissions its first floating wind farm, consisting of three turbines with a combined capacity of 25 megawatts, introducing strategic technology in the Mediterranean, vital for national energy goals.
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.