Deadline looms for French floaters

Final bids in France’s floating offshore wind tender are expected to be lodged next week ahead of a the auction’s deadline on Monday.

French Energy giants EDF EN and Engie are among those that have expressed an interest. 

US company Principle Power, Spain’s EDPR and French companies Eolfi, Eole-Res, Nenuphar, Ideol Offshore, and Quadran could also take part in the tender process.

Turbine manufacturer Alstom is also understood to be working on a joint proposal with shipyard DCNS.

Applicants have been invited to submit development proposals featuring between three and six turbines, with a minimum generation capacity of 5MW each.

The developments will be erected in four zones: three in the Mediterranean Sea, and one off the coast of Brittany.

The French government will provide €150m in subsidies and loans, while developers will receive a feed-in-tariff of between €150MWh and €275MWh.

The tender process is being managed by French public environment agency Ademe. Candidates must submit their bids by midnight on Monday.

Image: WindFloat off the Portugal coast (Principle Power)