France’s first floating offshore wind farm is now fully operational. The Provence Grand Large project, promoted by EDF Renewables together with Enbridge and CPP Investments, has started operations off the coast of the Gulf of Fos, in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur region.
With an installed capacity of 25 megawatts, the wind farm consists of three Siemens Gamesa Siemens Gamesa floating wind turbines located 17 kilometers off the coast of Port-Saint-Louis-du-Rhône. located 17 kilometers off the coast of Port-Saint-Louis-du-Rhône. This pilot installation is capable of supplying the equivalent of the annual electricity consumption of some 45,000 people.
A technology adapted from the oil industry
The turbines are mounted on tension-leg platforms, a technology previously used on oil platforms and adapted by SBM Offshore and IFP Energies Nouvelles to generate electricity offshore. This adaptation represents a breakthrough in the stability of floating offshore wind turbines, especially in deep water areas.
The dynamic cables developed by Prysmian connect the floating platforms to the power grid, ensuring the evacuation of power to the TEN land station via submarine and land links.
Alliance between technology, territory and sustainability
Since its selection in 2016, the project has been supported by the French State, the European Union and regional stakeholders such as ADEME and the South Region. It has been the fruit of extensive dialogue with fishermen, local authorities and environmental organizations. The bird detection system with acoustic deterrents and marine radar surveys reinforce its environmental approach.
An independent scientific committee oversees the collection of environmental data, helping to broaden knowledge about the marine environment and serving as a basis for future floating developments in the Mediterranean.
EDF and the future of the floating offshore wind farm
Bernard Fontana, president of EDF, stressed that this project is part of the national strategy to achieve carbon neutrality. carbon neutrality neutrality by 2050. The experience gained will be applied to the next floating park in the region: Méditerranée Grand Largeawarded to EDF in December 2024.
Matthew Akman of Enbridge and Bill Rogers of CPP Investments highlighted that international collaboration and technical innovation are key to moving towards low-emission power generation with long-term value for communities and investors.
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Source: EDF
Photo: Shutterstock
