The 10 MW Vestas turbine, the most powerful installed in France, has been mounted on a floating foundation at the offshore wind terminal established by the Occitanie Region at Port-La Nouvelle. In the coming weeks, the remaining two turbines will be assembled and towed 16 km offshore to Leucate and Barcarès for installation.
Marc Hirt, Ocean Winds’ country manager in France, stated: “The assembly of EFGL’s first turbine reflects the ambition driving offshore wind development in France. This milestone – achieved in close collaboration with our partners and local teams – is a strong signal of our commitment to accelerating floating wind in the Mediterranean.”
Hirt added: “It also follows another proud moment for Ocean Winds end of last year with the award, alongside Banque des Territoires, of our 250MW floating offshore wind EFLO project, in this very region.”
Jérémy de Barbarin, EFGL project director, said: “Bringing together such a complex assembly operation within a port environment, on floating foundations, is a technical and logistical success for all those involved. It’s a milestone for the EFGL project and for the Occitanie Region, which is confirming its role as a forerunner in renewable marine energy.”
The EFGL pilot farm, co-owned by Ocean Winds and Banque des Territoires, aims to provide technical, operational, and environmental data to support future floating offshore wind projects in the Mediterranean, including the 250 MW EFLO project, which is in early development. The initiative highlights the region’s growing role in advancing renewable marine energy.
This achievement follows the recent installation of the first turbine at Ocean Winds’ EMYN offshore wind farm on France’s Atlantic coast, completed less than a month ago. France remains a key market for Ocean Winds, with four offshore wind projects, including EMYN, under construction or development. These projects, with a combined capacity of 1.3 GW, can supply clean electricity to over 2 million households annually, contributing to sustainable energy goals.
