Dajin Heavy Industry Sends Off First Monopiles for 496 MW French Offshore Wind Project

February 5, 2024, by Adnan Memija

China-based Dajin Heavy Industry has dispatched the first eleven monopiles for the 496 MW Iles D’Yeu et Noirmoutier offshore wind farm in France.

The monopiles, each weighing 700 tonnes, have been loaded onto Boskalis’ heavy-load carrier Black Marlin, which is currently located in China’s Yellow Sea, according to AIS data.

The units were manufactured by Dajin Heavy Industry under a contract signed with the project’s developer, Éoliennes en Mer des Îles d’Yeu et de Noirmoutier (EMYN), a consortium including Ocean Winds (an ENGIE and EDPR joint venture), Sumitomo Corporation, La Banque des Territoires and Vendée Energie.

Located off the coast of Vendée, 11.6 kilometres from the island of Yeu and 16.5 kilometres from Noirmoutier, the offshore wind farm will feature 62 Siemens Gamesa 8 MW wind turbines, which the OEM will produce in its Le Havre facility.

Eiffage will deliver all 62 transition pieces, with Sif supplying the primary steel and Smulders manufacturing the secondary steel.

DEME has been contracted for the transport and installation of the foundations, wind turbines, and the substation. The offshore substation is scheduled to be installed in the first half of 2024.

The 496 MW Îles d’Yeu and Noirmoutier offshore wind farm is scheduled to be commissioned in 2025. Once in full operation, the wind farm will produce enough electricity to power up to 800,000 households.