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EU approves $11.6 billion in French aid for offshore wind projects

Posted on by darion

The French are moving towards a more sustainable future. Source: Volodimir Zozulinskyi/Shutterstock.

The European Commission (EU) has given the green light to a French state aid package worth €10.82 billion ($11.6 billion) to support offshore wind energy projects.

This action is part of wider efforts to support renewable energy sources and move towards a more sustainable future.

The approved aid will facilitate the construction and operation of two permanent offshore wind farms in France.

In line with the Temporary Crisis and Transition Framework (TCTF) adopted in March 2023, the French programme complies with the conditions set by the Commission.

Thanks to this financial support, spanning two decades, it will be possible to create a wind farm in the South Atlantic zone and another in the Centre Manche 2 zone in Normandy.

The South Atlantic wind farm will have a capacity of 1 to 1.2 GW, with expected annual renewable energy production of at least 3.9 terawatt-hours (TWh).

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The Normandy wind farm will have a capacity of 1.4 to 1.6 GW. It is expected to produce at least 6.1 TWh of renewable energy per year.

European Commission Executive Vice-President Margrethe Vestager said: “This €10.82 billion programme will help France accelerate its deployment of offshore wind farms, in line with the EU’s offshore renewables strategy.

“It will also help France reduce its dependence on Russian fossil fuels, while ensuring that any potential distortions of competition are kept to a minimum.”

Financial assistance will be provided in the form of a monthly variable premium under a two-way contract for difference model.

The beneficiary selection process will be competitive, with one successful applicant selected for each offshore zone.

In May 2024, Iberdrola, through its subsidiary Ailes Marines, commissioned the 496 MW Saint-Brieuc offshore wind farm in France.