France spearheads floating offshore wind development with three auctions coming

Is French offshore wind ready for take-off after a decade of learnings?

France was among the first countries worldwide to hold auctions for offshore wind projects. After overcoming several roadblocks, these early projects, awarded in 2012 and 2014, are finally progressing in development and construction. This is giving the industry some comfort that it is a market which can deliver at volume.

The French authorities have learned several lessons from the early auctions and permitting and France is now chasing its ambitious target of ~40 GW capacity by 2050.

To smooth out and speed up the process, new regulation has been introduced in recent years. Time will tell if the new regulation succeeds in securing faster permitting as intended.

France in the lead for floating wind stepstone projects

Recognizing a unique supply chain opportunity in floating offshore wind, France has launched what is currently Europe's most ambitious support for 'stepstone' floating wind projects. The South Brittany auction (250 MW) is underway and two Mediterranean auctions (500 MW in total) planned for 2023.

These highly anticipated auctions are perhaps the most important price signal for floating wind's cost trajectory and may indicate which floating technologies the industry is backing.

Aegir Insights’ market intelligence service covers southern European offshore wind

Aegir Insights’ market report for France covers sites, regulation, permitting and other perspectives for offshore wind developers looking for growth opportunities. The report is part of Aegir Insights’ complete coverage of offshore wind in Southern Europe.

Reach out to us to learn more about Aegir Insights' market intelligence service.