Wind Energy

EDF Wins 3 Offshore Wind Farm Projects in France

The three wind power projects in Saint-Nazaire, Courseulles-sur-Mer and Fecamp, corresponding to up to 1,500 MW of new installed capacity, "go hand in hand with an ambitious industrial plan which should create about 7,500 direct and indirect jobs, notably with the manufacturing of Alstom’s Haliade 150 wind turbine," the EDF said in a statement.

"The foundations are set for a new wind turbines industry which will serve export markets," the company said.

"I am delighted with this success, which reflects the Consortium’s first-class collective efforts, the technological superiority of its bid thanks to the partnership with Alstom and which constitutes the well-deserved reward for the high-quality projects submitted," said CEO of the EDF Henri Proglio.

According to Proglio, the operator has made the regional development a strategic objective. "This success represents the beginning of a new industrial adventure in renewable energy for France, with the creation of about 7,500 jobs for the wind turbines manufacturing, the foundations, the construction of the farms and their maintenance," he said.

"We are proud to be making our next-generation technology available to such an ambitious project," said CEO of Alstom Patrick Kron.

The offshore wind energy program represents a unique opportunity for France to revitalize the regions while building up a carbon emission-free energy industry, the EDF said.

By José Santamarta, www.alstom.com