- France plans to reach 45 GW of offshore wind capacity by 2050, with 18 GW targeted by 2035, boosting renewable energy’s role in the nation’s electricity mix.
- Call for tender number 10 (AO10) to launch in early 2025. This tender will offer 9.2 GW across key maritime regions, marking a significant expansion of offshore wind development.
- The Renewable Energy Syndicate projects over 20,000 jobs by 2035, while environmental groups urge careful consideration of impacts on marine biodiversity.
The French government aims to boost offshore wind capacity to 18 GW by 2035 and 45 GW by 2050. This ambitious plan drives France toward generating 20% of its electricity from renewable sources by 2050. With only 1.5 GW of offshore wind installed, this marks a significant leap forward.
The plan’s centrepiece, Call for Tenders number 10 (AO10), launches in early 2025. This round will allocate 9.2 GW, a 150% increase from previous tenders. Significant projects in AO10 include two 2 GW sites in the English Channel, a 2 GW floating wind farm in Brittany, a 1.2 GW project in the Bay of Biscay, and another 2 GW site in the Gulf of Lion.
Deputy Minister for Energy Olga Government emphasised the critical role of offshore wind in France’s energy strategy, calling it a “cornerstone.” She noted that the designated zones will streamline the tendering process, giving developers greater clarity.
The government developed the offshore wind mapping after a public consultation titled “La mer en débat” (“The Sea in Debate”). Between November 2023 and April 2024, over 20,000 people contributed. The consultations revealed broad support for offshore wind, with concerns about impacts on fishing, maritime traffic, and biodiversity.
Minister for Ecological Transition Agnès Pannier-Runacher highlighted the balance between energy needs and environmental protection. She stressed the importance of selecting areas that allow offshore wind development without harming fishing activities or coastal ecosystems.
The Renewable Energy Syndicate (SER) praised the government’s decision, describing offshore wind as a “major pillar” of France’s energy transition. SER projected that the sector will expand from 8,300 jobs to more than 20,000 by 2035.
Environmental groups raised concerns about potential harm to marine ecosystems. The League for the Protection of Birds (LPO) warned that offshore wind projects may threaten biodiversity in marine protected areas. LPO spokesperson Allain Bougrain Dubourg urged careful planning to avoid biodiversity loss during the push for renewable energy.
France currently operates three offshore wind farms, with three more under construction. The government has already awarded two additional projects, while four more remain in the planning phase. This growing activity underscores the solid political and public backing for renewable energy as France aims to cut carbon emissions and secure its energy supply.
By focusing on offshore wind, the French government aims to position the country as a leader in renewable energy. The plan balances the urgent need for decarbonisation with a commitment to protecting marine ecosystems, setting the stage for offshore wind to play a central role in France’s future energy landscape.