France is set to launch its tenth call for tenders for offshore wind farms, aiming for a capacity between 8 GW and 10 GW. The process will begin soon, with contracts expected to be awarded by the fall of 2026. The tenders will include two fixed-bottom and three floating offshore wind farms, located off the coast of Fécamp, Brittany, Gulf of Biscay, and the southern Mediterranean coast.
The French energy ministry stated that this initiative is part of the goal to have 18 GW of offshore wind capacity in service by 2035. Energy Minister Olga Givernet highlighted the overall target of reaching 45 GW of offshore wind capacity by 2050, which would contribute to 20% of the country’s total energy production.
Minister of Ecological Transition, Energy, Climate, and Risk Prevention, Agnès Pannier-Runacher, emphasized the importance of citizen and stakeholder involvement in offshore wind planning. The public debate identified areas across maritime fronts to allocate around 15 GW over the next decade, supporting the decarbonization of the energy mix.
France currently operates three offshore wind farms, with the most recent addition being the 496 MW Saint-Brieuc project in Brittany. This project is the nation’s second-largest offshore wind farm and the first in Brittany.
The plan to launch the new tender reflects France’s commitment to expanding renewable energy sources and reducing carbon emissions. Offshore wind energy is seen as a key component in achieving sustainability goals and transitioning to a greener energy mix. France’s ambitious targets demonstrate a strong dedication to environmental stewardship and energy transition.
