Ocean Winds has started electricity production at its 30MW Éoliennes Flottantes du Golfe du Lion (pictured) floating offshore wind farm off Port-La Nouvelle in France.
The company said the project is its second operating floating wind farm and its first in France, supplying renewable energy to homes and businesses in the south of the country.
Ocean Winds added that the project was developed in partnership with Banque des Territoires and features three 10MW turbines installed on floating foundations 16 kilometres offshore.
The pilot wind farm is expected to generate around 110,000MWh a year, enough to power approximately 50,000 inhabitants for 20 years.
Ocean Winds said around 85% of direct suppliers are French or based in France, with more than 99% located in Europe and 60% qualifying as small and medium sized enterprises.
The company noted the project is supporting more than 20 workers during operations at Port-La Nouvelle.
“EFGL’s first power reflects OW’s 15-year leadership in floating offshore wind and confirms our excellence in delivering and operating all offshore wind technologies across the world,” said Craig Windram, chief executive at Ocean Winds.
“From floating solutions in challenging deep-water conditions to bottom-fixed projects like Yeu-Noirmoutier reaching full power the week before, we are proving that our industrial expertise and execution capabilities translate into reliable delivery.”
“This milestone reinforces our track record of turning ambition into operational assets, even in the most demanding contexts, and positions us strongly to scale offshore wind globally.”
“The start of electricity production for EFGL is an important milestone for France’s energy sovereignty and for floating wind more broadly,” said Marc Hirt, country manager for France at Ocean Winds.
“It showcases the industrial maturity, precision, and collaboration needed to bring floating wind to commercial scale, mobilizing European and French players alongside French SMEs in support of the energy transition.”
“We are very proud that this remarkable project is already delivering tangible benefits to the Occitanie region – not only through green energy production, but also through support to the local economy, job creation, and environmental awareness.”
Ocean Winds said EFGL is a pilot project paving the way for larger developments including the 250MW Eoliennes Flottantes d’Occitanie project awarded with Banque des Territoires in late 2024.
The company added that the wind farm includes artificial marine habitats designed by Ecocean to enhance biodiversity as part of a nature-inclusive approach.
Ocean Winds said the project builds on its WindFloat Atlantic floating offshore wind farm and supports the wider scale-up of the technology globally.