Renewables trade association SER has welcomed the French government’s decision to merge the AO9 and AO10 offshore wind tenders for a single 10GW auction.
The new capacity of 5GW of fixed-bottom and 5GW of floating technologies is expected to be brought to market by next year.
“SER welcomes the government’s desire to preserve the volumetric ambition of the Offshore Wind Pact and asks that the merger of calls for tenders (AO9 and AO10) be implemented as soon as possible so as not to jeopardise the allocation of lots at the beginning of 2027,” it stated.
The announcement follows the launch in February of the country’s new Multi-Year Energy Programme (PPE3).
Tenders have also been lined up for onshore wind and solar, including an 800MW round for onshore wind in May, according to SER.
“These announcements confirm the commitments made by the Prime Minister when publishing the 3rd Multi-Year Energy Programme,” said SER president Jules Nyssen.
“They show once again that, in a context where our country needs to continue the electrification of uses to be less dependent on the international geopolitics that weighs on our bills, renewable energies are a concrete and structural response.”
BW Ideol said the combined offshore wind tender is a “major vote of confidence” in the future of floating wind in France.
“We are particularly encouraged by the minister’s clear statement that priority will be given to components manufactured in Europe,” said BW Ideol chief executive Paul de la Gueriviere.
“This announcement provides a clear pipeline and visibility on volumes that the entire industry has been calling for.”