France is stepping up its wind power production in a bid to reach the government’s goals of achieving carbon neutrality by 20250. 

During a visit to Saint Nazaire on 2nd May, the Minister of the Economy, Finance, Industrial and Digital Sovereignty, Bruno Le Maire, and the Minister Delegate in Charge of Industry and Energy, Roland Lescure, announced a series of new offshore wind power initiatives.

The plans pave the way for an increase in domestic production of the sustainable and renewable energy source.  

“We are delighted to be in Saint Nazaire to talk about a major subject for the energy future of our nation: offshore wind power,” said Le Maire. 

Among the measures presented was a proposal to build a commercial floating offshore wind farm south of Bretagne that would cover the electricity needs of around 450,000 people. Le Maire and Lescure also announced a call for applications for two new 250MW floating wind farms that would be based in the Mediterranean – a first for the region.  

Additionally, the ministers are considering new purchasing policies with the electricity transmission network manager RTE, notably an alliance with Chantiers de l’Atlantique and Hitachi Energy for the construction of electrical substations at sea and on land for three offshore wind farms. The project is estimated to cost €4.5 billion. 

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Photo source: Jesse de Meulenaere, Unsplash