Centre Manche Energies, a subsidiary of TotalEnergies, has begun the authorization process to build a 1.5 GW offshore wind farm off the coast of Normandy, an infrastructure that will become the largest renewable energy project developed to date in France.
Eight months after being awarded the project, Centre Manche Energies officially submitted its application for Single Authorization to proceed with the construction of an offshore wind farm located more than 40 kilometers off the Normandy coast. The initiative is one of the most ambitious projects within France’s energy transition strategy.
According to the company, the submitted documentation includes technical and environmental studies, a preliminary design of the offshore wind farm, and the planned installation phase. The environmental assessment also incorporates the results of the analysis campaigns carried out in the area and the observations gathered during consultation processes with regional authorities and stakeholders.
A new stage in the permitting process
The project is now entering a review phase by the French authorities. During this period, Centre Manche Energies will continue to work with local representatives, environmental organizations, coastal communities, and maritime professionals to facilitate the integration of the infrastructure within the economic and social environment of Normandy.
Thierry Muller, the project director, highlighted the importance of this regulatory development and noted that the company will continue to develop a competitive facility that brings economic value to the region while expanding renewable electricity generation in France.
Capacity to supply more than one million homes
Once operational, the offshore wind farm will have an installed capacity of 1.5 GW and will produce around 6 TWh of electricity per year. This generation will supply clean energy to more than one million French homes.
The scale of the project makes it the largest renewable energy development ever undertaken in France. It will also strengthen national energy security by increasing electricity production from renewable sources.
Multimillion-dollar investment and regional economic impact
The estimated investment amounts to 4.5 billion euros; during the construction phase, which is expected to last three years, up to 2,500 jobs are expected to be created.
In addition to the impact on employment, TotalEnergies plans to promote the participation of companies specializing in offshore wind energy and encourage the hiring of local professionals with experience in the offshore sector.
Furthermore, the company stated its intention to prioritize European suppliers for essential components such as wind turbines and electrical cables. This strategy could generate additional opportunities for the European industrial supply chain linked to renewable energy.
TotalEnergies accelerates its electricity strategy
The Centre Manche Energies project is part of the growth of TotalEnergies’ renewable portfolio; the company currently operates hundreds of solar, wind, hydroelectric and storage systems in France.
At the end of April 2026, the company had approximately 36 GW of gross renewable generation capacity globally and maintains its goal of exceeding 100 TWh of net electricity production by 2030.
With this initiative in Normandy, TotalEnergies strengthens its image within the European offshore wind energy market and expands its contribution to the development of low-emission electricity for the coming years.
Source: Totalenergies
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