TotalEnergies has secured a landmark tender to develop a 1.5-gigawatt offshore wind farm off the coast of Normandy, marking France’s largest offshore wind project to date. The €4.5 billion ($5.3 billion) investment strengthens TotalEnergies’ renewable portfolio and gives a significant boost to France’s lagging clean-energy ambitions.
The award comes as the outgoing French government, which collapsed this month, failed to pass a revised energy planning law (PPE) to guide future tenders. Despite regulatory uncertainty, the project supports France’s long-term target of 45 GW of offshore wind capacity by 2050, a massive leap from the current 1.5 GW.
TotalEnergies Expands Renewable Footprint in France
Isabelle Patrier, head of TotalEnergies France, highlighted the need for a new PPE to reassure industry players and accelerate new tenders. Historically, France’s slow permitting process made it less competitive than markets such as the U.K. and Germany. Of TotalEnergies’ 25 GW of gross renewable capacity, only 2 GW are in France, a figure expected to rise to 4 GW by 2030.
RWE Exits the Consortium
Germany’s RWE (RWEG.DE) announced its decision to leave the consortium, citing a strategic portfolio review. TotalEnergies, however, plans to seek a new partner and remains confident about attracting developers interested in the project.
Project Details and Economic Impact
The offshore wind farm will generate six terawatt-hours of electricity annually, supplying the equivalent of one million households. The French government set the tariff at €66 per megawatt-hour, reflecting a 50 percent rise in construction costs compared to earlier tenders. Final investment decisions are slated for early 2029, with commercial operations expected in 2033.
This milestone marks the first French offshore wind tender won by TotalEnergies, traditionally dominated by state-owned EDF and partially state-owned Engie (ENGIE.PA). The Normandy project not only enhances TotalEnergies’ European renewable presence but also positions France closer to EU renewable energy goals.
GreentechLead.com News Desk