EDP Renewables and Engie JV Ocean Winds and Banque des Territoires are to jointly participate in the 1GW AO7 South Atlantic tender in France.
Capitalising on the vast potential of its coastal regions, the French government is moving forward the growth of offshore wind energy within the country, following the goal of achieving 40GW of installed capacity by 2050.
Ocean Winds and Banque des Territoires currently have three offshore wind projects in France under construction.
These are the Dieppe Le Tréport and Îles d’Yeu and Noirmoutier bottom fixed offshore wind farms, and the Éoliennes Flottantes du Golfe du Lion (EFGL) floating wind pilot project.
Banque des Territoires and Ocean Winds are also participating into the French AO6 tender.
Their joint experience of national and local supply chain enhancement for the “Dieppe Le Tréport” and “Îles d’Yeu and Noirmoutier” bottom fixed offshore wind farms, the latter having already used La Rochelle Harbour as marshalling, will be determinant in promoting local opportunities and creating jobs, as well as fostering a sustainable industry within the country, the pair said.
Marc Hirt, country manager for Ocean Winds in France, said: “We are delighted to announce the expansion of our partnership with Banque des Territoires for our participation in AO7.
“Considering our joint journey since 2014, and our common dedication to enhancing local opportunities and coexistence with communities and other sea users, this extension of our partnership seemed like a logical progression.
“Our commitment with the local stakeholders, which is instrumental for our currently three projects under construction, will remain a central pillar as we venture into AO7 – where we will specially focus on the engagement with the fisheries for responsible and sustainable offshore development, as well as with local actors, to support the progress of the industry in France and local employment.
“Finally, our experience will also be key for developing a project taking fully into account environmental characteristics of the area.”
Emmanuel Legrand, director of the energy and ecological transition at Banque des Territoires, said: “The deployment of offshore wind capacity needs to keep the pace, and we are at Banque des Territoires committed to contribute to this first project off the South Atlantic French coast, capitalising on our common experience with Ocean Winds on the bottom fixed Dieppe Le Tréport and Îles d’Yeu et Noirmoutier projects currently under construction.”
The partnership between Ocean Winds and Banque des Territoires is exclusive for a joint response to the AO7 South Atlantic tender launched by the State in December 2022, which is expected to be awarded in 2024.