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Occitanie anticipates on ofshore wind
Within Europe, France has been cautious so far with the development and construction of ofshore wind. However, over 40 projects in various stages of development reveal there is a French future for ofshore wind.
ALL IMAGES COURTESY OF AD’OCC UNLESS STATED OTHERWISE.
The French Government is really pushing the development of offshore wind. The Mediterranean Sea is ideal for offshore wind, with a wind- characteristic comparable to the North Sea.
Ofshore wind deployment in France is low by European comparison, especially when considering the potential of 11km2 million of territorial French and 20,000km of coastline. The country’s government aims at closing the gap with countries such as Germany, UK, and the Netherlands. In its revised multi annual energy programme (PPE) that became efective in April 2020, France has increased its ofshore wind tendering target from up to 6GW to almost 9GW by 2028. Furthermore, the Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur, are in the Mediterranean area. With the latest PPE, the French Government is really pushing the development of ofshore wind. The Mediterranean Sea is ideal for ofshore wind, with a wind-characteristic comparable to the North Sea.” Back in 2015, the French Government selected the Eolmed consortium for the development and construction of a 30MW ofshore wind farm (three wind turbines) 15km from Gruissan. The commissioning of the foating ofshore wind farm is expected by 2023. Another foating 30MW project (Golfe de Lion ofshore wind farm) lead by Ocean Winds is expected to be operational in 2023 as well. According to Mr Ciglar, when looking at the current ofshore wind plans, foating wind will become an important part. “Because of the water depths, foating wind is the obvious choice for the developments in the Mediterranean Sea”, he says. “The national government sets the targets, though demand for ofshore wind projects comes from the French regions, each with its own targets. Occitanie aims at 800MW before 2030 and 3GW in 2050, whereas Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur also wants to have realised 2GW in 2050.”
Image courtesy of 4coffshore.net
intended operating ofshore wind capacity has been enlarged from between 4.7GW and 5.2GW by 2028, to between 5.2GW and 6.2GW by 2028. Under the PPE, three calls for tenders are planned for bottom fxed wind farms of 2.75GW and three tenders for foating wind farms totalling 0.75GW in the frst period of the PPE (2019-23), and 1GW per year (bottom fxed or foating) from 2024 onwards.
Floating turbines
Because of the relatively larger water depths in parts of the Atlantic Ocean and the entire Mediterranean Sea, part of the French farms will be constructed with foating turbines. France last year launched the world’s frst-ever tender for a commercial-sized foating ofshore wind farm. The wind farm will be located in the Atlantic Ocean, south of Brittany, and will have a capacity of 250MW. Two other foating projects with a similar size, to be constructed in the Mediterranean Sea, will be tendered this year.
Pushing development
We speak with Julien Ciglar, Marine Renewable Energy Project Manager of AD’OCC. AD’OCC is the regional economic development agency for the Occitanie/Pyrenees-Mediterranean region in the south of France. The agency is closely involved in the region’s plans to become an important hub for ofshore wind. “Occitanie/PyrénésMéditerranée is one of the four French foating ofshore wind regions, next to Brittany, Pays de la Loire, and ProvenceAlpes-Côte d’Azur”, Mr Ciglar says. “Brittany and Pays de la Loire are in the Atlantic area and we, together with
The Occitanie region is investing in new port facilities which has resulted, for example, in a USD 285 million investment for a port extension in Port-la-Nouvelle.
Ofshore wind culture
When looking at the development of ofshore wind in France, fnancing the ofshore wind farms is a case for the national government and operator. The region is investing in aspects such as research and the appropriate infrastructure and facilities. “For the development of ofshore wind projects, of course our main task is to promote the local industry”, Mr Ciglar elaborates. “We also have to work with other regions and countries. Floating ofshore wind is still in its infancy, we need to all work together, sharing experiences and knowhow to overcome various challenges. Everyone has to bring something to the development of this new technology. Mr Ciglar continues, “For this, an open public debate is important, too. Thanks to open and honest discussions about ofshore wind, we see that the opinion towards ofshore wind is shifting towards the positive side. Furthermore, with the French ofshore wind plans a new labour market is created with new jobs, and we can with our projects contribute to raising awareness in this matter. It is estimated that between 200-300 local jobs will be involved for the construction
of ofshore wind farms in our region, and this will really boost our economy for the long term.”
Leading ofshore hub
For the realisation of ofshore wind farms, the Occitanie region is investing in new port facilities, necessary for the construction and maintenance of the turbines. This has resulted, for example, in a USD 285 million investment for a port extension in Port-la-Nouvelle. There are various concepts proposed today for foating turbines and the goal in ofshore wind is mass production, as this will result in higher efciency and lower costs. Therefore, the type of foating concept chosen is important, as this will also afect the entire supply chain. “Technically speaking, not one foating concept really comes out as the best”, Mr Ciglar voices. “However, the chosen concept will have its efect on many other aspects, and this should be considered in decision making. Furthermore, our interest not only lies with the turbine manufacturers and operators, but with the companies within the entire supply chain as well. Our aim is to have as many ofshore wind-related activities surrounding Occitanie as possible that, combined with the investments made, will give us the opportunity to become one of the leading ofshore hubs in this part of Europe.”
