The Provence Grand Large: France’s First Floating Wind Farm
The Provence Grand Large, located off the Gulf of Fos (Bouches-du-Rhône) in the French Mediterranean, has officially been commissioned. This unique floating wind farm is not only the first of its kind in France but also in the entire Mediterranean basin. The companies involved believe that it will serve as a model to advance the next phase of offshore wind energy.
The project, which has been in discussions since 2011, aimed to involve all key stakeholders and develop pioneering technology. It was selected by the state in 2016 and received support from the European Union. An independent committee was established in 2022 to monitor the program and bring together scientific experts.
The Provence Grand Large wind farm is a pilot project with three floating wind turbines installed 17 km off the coast of Port-Saint-Louis-du-Rhône, with a capacity of 25 MW. Developed through a partnership between EDF Renewables, Enbridge, and the Canada Pension Plan Investment Board (CPP Investments), this project marks a significant milestone in France’s energy transition.
Unique Technology and Partnerships
The installation of the wind turbines at Provence Grand Large relies on a unique anchoring technology. Developed by Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy, the turbines are installed on floats with taut anchor lines inspired by stabilization technology used in oil platforms. The technology, developed by SBM Offshore and IFP Energies Nouvelles, provides excellent float stability and is suitable for deep-sea areas.
Prysmian, a key partner in the project, has provided dynamic cables that adapt to the movements of the floats, ensuring the efficient transmission of electricity produced by the wind turbines. These cables connect to underwater and onshore cables, facilitating the transmission of electricity to the onshore connection station operated by RTE.
Future Projects and Government Targets
EDF Renewables, in partnership with Maple Power, is set to embark on its next project, the Méditerranée Grand Large wind farm, awarded in December 2024. This future project, located 25 km off the Mediterranean coast, will have a capacity of approximately 250 MW. The French government has set a target of 45 GW from offshore wind farms, aiming to commission around 50 offshore wind farms by 2050.
EDF Renewables, Maple Power, and their shareholders have also developed and commissioned France’s first offshore wind farm with a capacity of 480 MW, the Fécamp offshore wind farm. They are currently building the Calvados offshore wind farm (450 MW) and developing the Dunkirk (600 MW) and Manche Normandie (1 GW) offshore wind farms.