France’s merged AO9 and AO10 offshore wind auction: The more, the merrier?
On 2 April, the French Government announced their intention to merge the ongoing AO9 and upcoming AO10 lease and support auctions with awards expected as early as 2027.
This announcement follows the release of France's third Multiannual Energy Programme (PPE 3), which revised national renewable targets and reinforces the government's ambitions for a steady pipeline of offshore wind deployment through 2035.
Update (August 2026): The final tender documents were published on 12 June, and bidding is open for ~10 GW across 11 projects, with bids due 12 October and awards expected in March 2027. See our breakdown of the rules of France's largest offshore wind auction.
🔹 The merged AO9 and AO10 auction will offer 10 GW of lease capacity across fixed-bottom and floating sites which is significantly higher than the ~1.5 GW of floating capacity planned under AO9 and includes sites such as Oléron1, which was not awarded in 2025’s AO7.
🔹 Awards are expected by end-2026 or early 2027. The government also aims to keep the average strike price below EUR 100/MWh across both technologies, reflecting cost pressure on floating projects.
🔹 While the increased visibility and scale are positive for the outlook of French offshore wind, particularly ahead of the 2027 presidential election, a number of timing uncertainties and pricing expectations are still left unanswered.
Aegir Insights’ clients have access to a new report, taking a closer look at what is currently known and unknown about this large-scale combined AO9/AO10 auction.
Want a glimpse of the report?
Reach out to us here.
Want to discuss AO9 and AO10 in person?
Then catch us at WindEnergy Hamburg, 22–25 September 2026.
Reach out to info@aegirinsights.com to meet us there.
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