Fécamp, France’s First Offshore Wind Farm in Normandy, Now Fully Operational

In a landmark achievement for France’s renewable energy ambitions, the 500MW Fécamp Offshore Wind Farm has become fully operational. This milestone was marked with an inauguration ceremony attended by Roland Lescure, the French delegated Minister for Industry and Energy, along with representatives from EDF Renewables, Enbridge Inc., CPP Investments, and Skyborn.

Situated between 13 and 24 kilometers off the northern coast of France, the Fécamp Offshore Wind Farm is set to significantly contribute to France’s goal of having 33% of its energy mix from renewable sources by 2030. The wind farm, which started producing its first megawatt-hour in July 2023, now has all 71 turbines connected to the national grid. It is capable of supplying low-carbon electricity to nearly 770,000 people, meeting 60% of the annual electricity consumption of the Seine-Maritime department.

The project’s 12-year development phase involved close collaboration with local stakeholders to ensure environmental protection and shared use of the sea. Consultations with fishing professionals, residents, and elected representatives led to the strategic alignment of the turbines with the current, facilitating fishing activities.

The construction phase, spanning three years, leveraged regional infrastructure and skills from Le Havre and Cherbourg, creating approximately 3,000 jobs in Normandy. The wind farm represents a total investment of around 2 billion euros. A maintenance base on the Grand Quai peninsula in Fécamp will create about 100 local jobs, focusing on maintenance and optimization of electricity production.

Luc Rémont, Chairman and CEO of EDF Group, expressed pride in inaugurating Normandy’s first offshore wind farm, recognizing the support from the Normandy region and the collaborative efforts of all partners involved. He noted that the Fécamp project, following the Saint-Nazaire wind farm in Loire-Atlantique, signifies the growth of a new industrial sector in France, crucial for future projects in Calvados, Dunkirk, and Manche Normandie.

Matthew Akman, Executive Vice President of Enbridge Inc., highlighted the milestone’s significance for Enbridge and its partners, underscoring their commitment to advancing the energy transition and providing clean, secure energy to the region. Bill Rogers from CPP Investments and Thomas Karst from Skyborn echoed these sentiments, emphasizing the importance of offshore wind projects in global decarbonization efforts and their long-term commitment to sustainable energy.