Skip to main content

Ocean Winds completes offshore turbine installation of first floating wind project in France

 

Published by
Energy Global,

Ocean Winds (OW), an international offshore wind energy company created by EDP Renewables and ENGIE, has completed the third and final turbine installation of its Éoliennes Flottantes du Golfe du Lion (EFGL) project. Developed in partnership with Banque des Territoires, EFGL is now the first floating offshore wind farm in the Occitanie region to complete its offshore turbine installation phase, marking a major step for floating wind on a global scale.

With three 10 MW turbines installed on floating foundations, EFGL demonstrates the viability of floating offshore wind in deeper waters, unlocking high-wind areas previously out of reach. Assembled at Port-La Nouvelle and towed 16 km offshore, the turbines now stand ready for the final stage of cable and grid connection works done by RTE, before starting to deliver clean energy to approximately 50 000 inhabitants each year.

Marc Hirt, Country Manager France for Ocean Winds, commented: “EFGL is not only a first for France but a global benchmark for floating offshore wind. It showcases the industrial maturity, precision, and collaboration needed to bring floating wind to commercial scale. For OW, this reflects our 15 years of leadership in floating technology. OW is eager to keep working in the Occitanie region, proud to be a first step and an example of the beneficial impacts such projects bring, not only in green energy production but also in local dynamism, job opportunities, and a shared sense of pride.”

Jérémy de Barbarin, EFGL Project Director, added: “Every phase of EFGL, from design to offshore installation, has been a collective achievement involving local partners, maritime experts, and global innovators. With the turbines now installed, we are looking forward to delivering clean energy and setting a precedent for the next generation of floating wind projects.”

The installation of EFGL now paves the way for larger developments, including the Eoliennes Flottantes d’Occitanie (EFLO), a 250 MW floating offshore wind project awarded to OW and Banque des Territoires in late 2024.

In addition, EFGL is also the world’s first nature-inclusive floating wind farm, with artificial marine habitats (Biohuts) installed at sea to enhance biodiversity. This innovation, combined with advanced engineering and regional co-operation, sets a new standard for responsible offshore wind development worldwide.

 

 

For more news and technical articles from the global renewable industry, read the latest issue of Energy Global magazine.

Energy Global's Summer 2025 issue

Dive into the latest renewable energy insights in the Summer issue of Energy Global, out now! This edition features a guest comment from Change Rebellion on the role real change management can play in the global energy sector before a regional report, which looks at energy trends and transformations across the Americas. Other key topics are also explored, including offshore support vessels, floating wind, weather analysis, and battery storage. Contributors include Ørsted, CRC Evans, Miros, Solcast, and more, so don’t miss out!