France has launched a 500MW floating wind tender for two new 250MW projects in the Mediterranean Sea.
The two projects will be located off the coast of Narbonnaise and off the Gulf of Fos, respectively, at a minimum distance of 22km from the coast, subject to the result of environmental studies in the areas.
The tender was announced by French prime minister Jean Castex (pictured) and the minister for the ecologic transition, Barbara Pompili, during a visit at Port-la-Nouvelle.
The plans also envisage an alternative location for the second wind farm, which could be built off the coast of Roussillon instead, at a minimum distance of 24km.
The projects also include the option for a further 500MW capacity expansion for both farms.
The installations will generate enough electricity to cover around 10% of total electricity consumption of the Occitanie and Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur regions, the ministry said.
In addition, technical and environmental studies will be carried out on an area located in the Gulf of Lion, at a minimum distance of 34km from the coast.
Meanwhile, the French government and the wind sector signed an ‘offshore wind pact’ in which they commit to develop 2GW/year of capacity from 2025, reaching 40GW by 2050.