The largest French offshore wind farm is set to be built off the coast of Normandy: TotalEnergies has won the AO8 auction for the development of Centre-Manche 2, which will become France’s biggest offshore wind project to date, with a capacity of 1.5 GW, according to the European wind industry association WindEurope. The project will be located around 40 kilometers from the Normandy coast and is expected to be operational by 2033.
The new wind farm will supply enough electricity to power more than one million French households at a competitive price of €66/MWh, making offshore wind the cheapest source of electricity generation in France.
In addition to strengthening the country’s energy independence, the project will create new jobs and reinforce the domestic supply chain. European-made turbines and cables will be used, while at least 10 percent of the project will be carried out through small and medium-sized enterprises – from studies and manufacturing to construction and operation.
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France currently has 1.6 GW of operational offshore wind capacity, with another 1.5 GW under construction. The national target is to reach 18 GW by 2035 and as much as 45 GW by 2050. The Centre-Manche 2 project is part of this long-term strategy and confirms the attractiveness of the French market for offshore wind investments.
However, on the same day that AO8 was completed, the French government announced that the AO7 auction had received no bids due to technical challenges and changing market conditions. WindEurope emphasizes that future auctions must strike a better balance to ensure sustainable investment.
The AO8 results show that offshore wind works for France – it delivers clean energy, creates jobs, and strengthens European energy security. WindEurope is calling for the launch of the next AO9 and AO10 auctions, as well as for the swift adoption of the multi-year energy program (PPE3), which is a prerequisite for continued large-scale investment in the sector.
