The Yeu-Noirmoutier offshore wind farm, developed by Ocean Winds, a joint venture between French group Engie and Portuguese firm EDP Renewables, has entered its decisive phase with the installation of the first turbines off the Vendée coast. The €2.5bn project currently involves 300 workers at the port of Saint-Nazaire, a figure expected to double at the peak of operations.
The 83-square-kilometre installation zone is located about 20 kilometres off the coast, between the islands of Yeu and Noirmoutier. The park will consist of 61 offshore turbines supplied by Siemens Gamesa, each with a capacity of 8 megawatts, providing a total installed capacity of 488 MW. The generated electricity is expected to supply up to 800,000 people. According to the announced schedule, commercial service is set for the end of November, with the first unit producing as soon as it is installed.
European infrastructure, local logistics
The project relies heavily on a European supply chain: approximately 90 to 95 percent of the components are sourced from European firms, nearly half of which are French suppliers. The offshore electrical substation is being built by Chantiers de l’Atlantique, while Vendée-based Rollix is producing the yaw bearings. The maritime coordination centre is located in the former submarine base in Saint-Nazaire.
Components are arriving from several ports: tower sections from Brest, nacelles assembled in Le Havre, with La Rochelle and Dunkirk also contributing to logistics. A tightly managed schedule is required due to the use of jack-up vessels that install four turbines at a time, operating at a steady pace to optimise costs.
High pace despite delayed start
Although initiated in 2014, the project only began offshore works in 2023 after nearly a decade of development and legal challenges, according to project officials. This timeline contrasts with other European countries where similar developments are completed in six years. Turbine installation is scheduled for May, with production pacing aligned with the delivery of components.
Marc Hirt, Managing Director of Ocean Winds France, noted that the company committed to local manufacturing for part of the equipment. Permanent roles for operation and maintenance are planned on Noirmoutier Island, including the provision of technician housing.
The electricity purchase price has been set at €167/MWh, under a contract with EDF Obligation d’Achat (EDF OA). This park is the fourth offshore wind facility in France, following those at Saint-Nazaire, Fécamp, and Saint-Brieuc. France targets 18 GW of wind power capacity by 2035, up from the current 1.5 GW.
