Iberdrola to bid for French offshore wind energy

Iberdrola has announced that EOLE-RES, which is engaged in the design, development, construction and operation of renewable energy projects, has joined its consortium preparing to bid for two offshore wind farm sites in France.

Iberdrola initially announced that it will be working with AREVA, who will supply the wind turbines for the wind power projects, in its bid for up to 1.25 GW of offshore wind farm capacity as part of the French government’s plans to reach a 6 GW target by 2020. Technip, a world leader in project management, engineering and construction for the energy industry, joined as the construction and engineering partner in August.

EOLE-RES, one of the leading wind farm developers in France, will bring significant additional development, technical and engineering knowledge and expertise to the consortium supported by its sister company RES Offshore, which has already helped deliver over 350 MW of consented offshore wind farm capacity in the UK and is currently supporting over 5000MW in development in Europe and the US.

The consortium has announced that it will bid for the Saint-Brieuc zone in northern Brittany, which has the potential for up to 500 MW and the Saint-Nazaire zone, which is off the Atlantic Coast, with up to 750 MW of power. Tender submissions will be made to the French Government in January 2012, with successful bidders selected by April 2012.

Keith Anderson, Chief Executive of ScottishPower Renewables and also head of Iberdrola’s Glasgow-based Global Offshore Division, said: "EOLE-RES is a very strong addition to the consortium, with a wealth of experience in delivering onshore wind projects in France as well as working on offshore projects, the company added.

Jean-Marc Armitano, CEO of EOLE-RES said, "This partnership combines the valuable experience and unrivalled expertise of the two groups in terms of design and construction of both onshore and offshore wind farms. This consortium is undoubtedly one of the most solid and experienced, with a valuable technical, industrial and financial background that will allow the development of high-quality offshore projects."

www.iberdrola.es