Wind Energy – Floating Wind France
In a landmark milestone for the global energy transition, the consortium between Elicio, international wind energy producer, and BayWa r.e., renewable energy developer and solutions provider, has been announced as winner of the AO5 tender in France to develop the world’s first commercial floating offshore wind farm, by Bruno le Maire, Minister of Economy, Finance, and Industrial and Digital Sovereignty, and Roland Lescure, Minister Delegate for Industry and Energy.
The award is the outcome of a competitive tender process initiated in 2021 for an offshore floating wind project with a capacity between 230 and 270 MW, located in the south of Brittany off the coast of Lorient.
The ‘Pennavel’ floating offshore wind project is set to become a cornerstone of the region’s energy landscape. The wind farm is expected to generate approximately 30% of Brittany’s current renewable energy production and power over 450,000 inhabitants annually, making a significant contribution to the region’s sustainable growth.
Pennavel will be the first commercial floating wind farm in the world to be awarded a long-term Contract for Difference (CfD). The project benefits from a secured grid connection with RTE, the French transmission system operator, who is responsible for the transmission assets including offshore substation and export cables. The shareholders of the consortium are honoured to be selected to take the energy transition to the next level in Brittany, in close collaboration with local partners.
It is the second recent success in floating wind in Europe by Elicio and BayWa r.e. following the 960 MW Buchan Offshore Wind farm off the north-east coast of Scotland, together with a third partner. This significant milestone further consolidates Elicio and BayWa r.e.’s position within the global offshore wind sector as floating offshore wind leaders.
The consortium commits to spending 5 million euros to support the development of socio-economical activities related to the project in the Brittany and Pays de la Loire regions. Through crowdfunding, the local population will have the opportunity to invest in this project. Furthermore, the floating offshore wind farm is expected to generate around 4,5 million working hours during the construction phase, and more than 30 permanent jobs during the operational one.
