France has officially launched its 1GW fourth round Normandy offshore wind tender.
The area up for grabs is located off the Cotentin Peninsula, with the perimeter to be refined during the competitive tender process, according to the Ministry of Ecological Transition.
It was chosen following a public consultation, the ministry said.
A winner is expected to be announced in 2022, it added.
Minister for Ecological Transition Barbara Pompili said: “Ecological transition must be a shared ambition, beneficial for all, adopted by all.
“Offshore wind power is a tremendous opportunity for the country.
“We organised an unprecedented public debate, very early on in the project, even before a settlement area was defined.
“This exercise showed that there was a consensus on the need for ecological transition. I also heard the strong expectations of residents, local economic players and civil society.
“This is why I decided that the future offshore wind farm would be installed more than 40km from the coast, in an area to minimise the impacts on our landscape, our fishing activities, maritime traffic and the marine environment.”
The ministry said the future developer will have study conditions in order to cohabit with the fishing industry in the area.
Environmental studies will be launched in the project area in consultation with relevant stakeholders.
A website providing information to the public on all offshore wind projects will go online in 2021.