French association sees offshore wind power potential at 15,000 MW by 2030

Jun 28, 2013 - The potential installed capacity of French offshore wind power sector is estimated at 15,000 MW by 2030, according to a roadmap designed by the association of renewable energies SER.
The roadmap takes into account the marine potential to be exploited, the industrial capacity of operators and the cooperation among the different parties involved. This objective will enable the creation of 30,000 jobs in total.
The pluriannual investment plan sets the target of 6,000 MW by 2020. Thanks to the first tender launched by the government in July 2011, some 2,000 MW will be installed offshore at four sites. The farms will go on stream between 2017 and 2019.
Under the second tender launched in March 2013, 1,000 MW will be installed at two sites and will become operational between 2021 and 2023.
If the present pace is kept, France will not be able to achieve the fixed targets by 2020, SER said.
According to the union, the government needs to set an ambitious goal in order for the industry to be competitive at international level.
Furthermore, SER will propose in the next few days several measures aimed at encouraging the development of offshore wind farms installations.

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