Wind Energy – France
EDF and its partners have successfully commissioned Provence Grand Large, a pioneering project as the first floating offshore wind farm in France and the wider Mediterranean region.
The 25MW installation, located 17km off Port-Saint-Louis-du-Rhône, comprises three Siemens Gamesa turbines mounted on tension leg platforms developed by SBM Offshore and IFP Energies Nouvelles.
The developers have stated that the platforms utilise deep-water anchoring technology adapted from oil and gas operations.
EDF Renewables led the project in collaboration with joint shareholders Enbridge Éolien France 2, a subsidiary of Enbridge, and the Canada Pension Plan Investment Board (CPP Investments).
Electricity is transmitted to the shore via dynamic cables developed by Prysmian, which adapt to wave movements and link to the onshore substation operated by RTE.
Provence Grand Large was selected by the French government in 2016 to receive funding from the EU’s NER300 and Feder schemes, as well as support from the National Investment for the Future programme and the South Region.
