Bidding in the third offshore wind call for tenders in Dunkirk, France
13/03/2017News
Our joint pre-qualification bid will give us the opportunity to extend and strengthen a long-term relationship on this strategic market, which draws on the high wind energy potential found off the coast, France boasting the second highest potential in Europe. These developments will make it possible for France to consolidate its leadership in the offshore wind energy sector in France and, in so doing, contribute to the achievement of key energy transition targets, i.e., 3,000 MW of free-standing offshore wind energy by 2023.
We have previously workd with EDPR on free-standing offshore wind, through projects in Dieppe-Le Tréport (500 MW) and the Islands of Yeu and Noirmoutier (500 MW), as well as in floating off-shore, with the Leucate pilot wind farm project in the Mediterranean (24 MW) and as co-investing partners to the WindFloat Atlantic Project in Portugal (25 MW).
This shared experience gives the consortium’s bid unique solidity, based on strong technical and economical capacity. The project’s integration into the Territory of Dunkirk, in particular in terms of optimising the zone’s occupation and taking into account environmental challenges, along with its price competitiveness will form the bid’s key strengths.
An example of offshore wind farm: Dieppe and Le Tréport
“With an energy mix relying more than 60% on renewable energies in France, ENGIE is a major player in the energy transition in the country. Already a leader in on-shore wind, we hope to show, with this bid, that we are actively contributing to the consolidation of a French offshore wind industry, whether free-standing or floating“, stated Gwénaëlle Huet, CEO France Renewables.
“EDP Renewables is at the cutting edge of wind energy at the global level. Our operational capacity, our experience on different markets and under a variety of conditions, and our ability to manage the projects in which we are involved make us the ideal partner for this project”, stated Joao Manso Neto, CEO of EDPR.
Our Group has more than 20 years’ experience in offshore wind, gained through building and operating deep-sea offshore wind farms, and building sub-stations for offshore wind parks throughout the world. In addition to the projects carried out with EDPR, we are developing the Mermaid Project in Belgium (approximately 250 MW).
Photo credit: Nicolas Job/Heos Marine