French Floating Wind Pilot Project Starts Delivering Power to Grid

November 20, 2024, by Adnan Memija

The first of three Siemens Gamesa 8 MW turbines at the Provence Grand Large floating offshore wind project in France has started delivering megawatt-hours of power to the national electricity grid.

Located 17 kilometres off the coast in the Mediterranean Sea, the Provence Grand Large floating wind pilot project features three Siemens Gamesa 8 MW turbines installed on tensioned line floats and designed by IFP Energies Nouvelles and SBM Offshore.

The first turbine was installed at the 100-metre-deep site in September 2023, with the third and final unit being towed offshore in October.

The wind turbine components were manufactured at Siemens Gamesa’s factory in Le Havre.

The floating foundations were constructed at Eiffage Métal’s facility in Fos-sur-Mer, with the assembly carried out by the French company in collaboration with Smulders, its Belgian affiliate.

In April 2024, Asso.subsea completed the project’s cable installation, burial, and protection operations. The company connected the turbines to the Port-Saint-Louis-du-Rhône station.

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Once fully operational, the 24 MW Provence Grand Large floating wind farm is expected to produce the equivalent of the annual electricity consumption of 45,000 inhabitants.

The pilot project is owned by Parc Eolien Offshore de Provence Grand Large – a subsidiary of EDF Renouvelables, and Enbridge Eolien France 2 S.à.r.l (EEF2), a subsidiary of Enbridge Inc. and CPP Investments.