French group TotalEnergies has confirmed that it is considering a collaboration with EDF Renewables to develop the Centre Manche 2 offshore wind farm. This option emerged after RWE, the initial partner, announced its intention to withdraw from the project. The German group had won the tender alongside TotalEnergies in 2022, but its strategic shift to reduce investments in renewable energy has changed the initial balance of the consortium.
A convergence between neighboring projects
EDF Renewables had already secured the rights in 2023 for the adjacent Centre Manche 1 wind farm, but under less favorable tariff conditions. The electricity purchase price there was set at €44.9 per megawatt-hour (MWh), compared with €66 for Centre Manche 2. The price gap between the two parks directly impacts expected profitability and could prompt EDF to seek strategic alignment with TotalEnergies. For the latter, EDF’s entry would represent a logical continuation of its partnership practices in large-scale energy projects.
Financial and industrial stakes
The two combined parks represent a capacity of 2.5 gigawatts (GW), equivalent to the electricity consumption of nearly 1.8 million households. The commissioning timeline set for 2032 highlights the scale of the required investments over the coming decade. In a context of differentiated pricing between the projects, coordination between TotalEnergies and EDF could mitigate financial risks and optimize operational management of the infrastructure.
Prospects and uncertainties
According to industry sources, abandoning the Centre Manche 1 project is not under consideration. However, the current financial conditions make it difficult for EDF to reach a final investment decision. A potential partnership with TotalEnergies could improve profitability prospects and ensure stronger industrial complementarity between the two wind farms. This configuration would also allow for cost-sharing in construction and maintenance within the same geographical area.
