The French government has announced the launch of a commercial tidal tender covering two zones in the north and west of the country.
Environment Minister Segolene Royal said in a video message opening the Seanergy marine renewables and offshore wind industry fair in Le Havre that the round will include one area off Brittany and one off Normandy.
She added the prefects were currently defining the exact sites and the so-called competitive dialogue procedure will kick off in the near future. That means contenders will, jointly with the government, define the exact bidding conditions.
Royal also declared that the competitive dialogue for the Round 3 Oleron offshore wind energy zone would advance in the next few days.
Energy watchdog CRE will publish preliminary bidding conditions and candidates will then have a month to apply to participate in the actual competitive dialogue. The zone is believed to have a maximum size of 500MW.
Round 3’s other zones are Dunkirk with a capacity of up to 750MW and the newly-nominated Berck-sur-Mer.
More than 3500 visitors are attending this year’s Seanergy according to the organisers. They include 35% of non-French attendees from 20 countries.
Image: Segolene Royal addresses the Seanergy faithful (reNEWS)
