GE rolls out 1st turbine nacelle for 480-MW Saint-Nazaire offshore wind farm

GE Renewable Energy has produced the first turbine nacelle for the 480-MW Saint-Nazaire offshore wind farm in French waters.

The nacelle, which contains the generator, is the first of 80 Haliade 150-6MW wind turbines that will be powering the wind park. The milestone was announced on Tuesday by French power utility EDF (EPA:EDF). The latter is part of the Eolien Maritime France (EMF) joint venture developing the project off France’s Atlantic coast.

The renewables arm of conglomerate General Electric (NYSE:GE) will be assembling the nacelles for the wind park at its local factory in Montoir-de-Bretagne, in the Loire-Atlantique department.

The Saint-Nazaire wind farm is currently being constructed about 12-20 km offshore in 12 to 25 metres water depth. Earthworks are now being finalised and installation at sea is due to begin next year. The power plant is scheduled to go live in 2022.

EMF is a 50/50 JV between EDF Renewables and Canadian energy company Enbridge Inc (TSE:ENB). In May, Enbridge said it will sell 49% of its interest in EMF, which has roughly a 1.5-GW offshore wind portfolio in France, to the Canada Pension Plan Investment Board. The Saint-Nazaire project is part of the specific portfolio.

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