France has moved a step closer to tendering for the 500MW to 1GW of fixed-bottom offshore wind capacity off the island Oleron in the west of the country, with the government formally referring the proposal to the National Commission for Public Debate.
The move, announced today in Le Havre by prime minister Jean Castex, sets in motion a process which is expected to take about one year, after which the government would launch a formal tender.
The potential project off the port of Cotiniere in a zone covering 300 square km, has been under consideration for several years and was included in the government’s recent multi-annual energy plan.
The port of La Rochelle would be the main base for the construction.
Germany-based developer WPD has detailed proposals in place for a project in the area.