Enviro, maritime permits granted for 496-MW offshore wind project in France

France’s Vendee department has awarded maritime and environmental permits to the 496-MW offshore wind project at Iles d’Yeu et de Noirmoutier, Engie (EPA:ENGI), one of the scheme’s owners, announced on Tuesday.

The project is being developed by Eoliennes en mer des Iles d’Yeu et de Noirmoutier (EMYN), a special purpose vehicle owned by Engie, EDP Renovaveis (ELI:EDPR) and la Banque des Territoires, part of French bank Caisse des depots (CDC). The partners secured the right to install and operate two offshore wind farms in Upper Normandy and the Isles of Yeu and Noirmoutier, each with a capacity of about 500 MW, in a tender held in 2014.

The permits granted by Vendee department authorities will allow EMYN to prepare the construction of the plant and then launch a competitive selection for subcontractors that will produce and install the components.

To be located off the Vendee islands of Yeu and Noirmoutier, the 496-MW wind park is expected to be commissioned in 2021. Its 62 Siemens Gamesa turbines of 8 MW are seen to generate around 1,900 GWh of electricity per year, or as much as is needed to supply 790,000 people. The overall cost of the project is estimated at EUR 2 billion (USD 2.27bn).

Engie is the largest shareholder in EMYN, with a stake of 47%, while EDP Renovaveis and CDC own 43% and 10% interest, respectively.

(EUR 1.0 = USD 1.134)

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