TotalEnergies wins tender for France’s largest offshore wind project

France’s Ministry of Industry and Energy has named the TotalEnergies/RWE consortium as winner of the Centre Manche 2 (AO8) offshore wind call for tenders.

This involved the design, development, construction and operation of a 1.5-GW wind farm over 40 km from the coast of Normandy, northern France.

According to TotalEnergies, this will be the country’s largest renewable energy project to date, delivering about 6 TWh/year to domestic users.

RWE is seeking to leave the consortium, subject to approval from the French authorities. TotalEnergies, as operator of the project, is ready to assume all commitments but will seek to bring in a replacement partner.

It plans to take FID early in 2029, with first electricity produced in 2033, in line with RTE's connection schedule. The estimated investment is €4.5 billion (US$5.3 billion), with up to 2,500 people likely employed during the three-year construction program, supported by local industries that can bring experience from previous offshore wind developments in the region.

TotalEnergies plans to source the wind turbines and power cables from suppliers in Europe.

Over the next few months the company’s team in Normandy will continue consultations with local and regional stakeholders that began during the tender phase, including co-existence of the project with local fishing fleets.

It has earmarked €45 million (US$52.9 million) for measures to avoid, reduce and compensate for the project’s impacts. In addition, the company has committed to ultimate recycling, reuse or reuse rates of the wind farm’s blades, masts and nacelles of 95% or higher, with full recycling or reuse of the wind turbine generators' magnets.