Elicio and BayWa r.e. have been selected as the winners of the AO5 tender in France, securing the development of the world's first commercial floating offshore wind farm. This project, named 'Pennavel', will be located off the coast of Lorient in southern Brittany and is expected to have a capacity between 230 and 270 MW.

The consortium's proposal stood out in a tender process initiated in 2021, attracting the attention of French authorities. 'Pennavel' promises to generate approximately 30% of Brittany's current renewable energy production and supply clean energy to over 450,000 inhabitants annually.

What sets this project apart is its innovative approach to financing, being the first floating wind farm to secure a Contract for Difference (CfD). Additionally, it benefits from a secured grid connection provided by RTE, the French transmission system operator.

Local commitment with global impact

The consortium is committed to sustainable development and local engagement, having obtained the "Breizh Content" label and engaging with the community through various initiatives. Furthermore, 'Pennavel' plays a crucial role in France's ambitious renewable energy goals, aligning with its vision to achieve 50 offshore wind farms by 2050 and reach a total capacity of 45 GW of wind energy.

In addition, the consortium commits to spending 5 million euros to support the development of socio-economical activities related to the project in the Brittany and Pays de la Loire regions. Through crowdfunding, the local population will have the opportunity to invest in this project. Furthermore, the floating offshore wind farm is expected to generate around 4,5 million working hours during the construction phase, and more than 30 permanent jobs during the operational one.

For Alain Janssens, CEO of Elicio, and Matthias Taft, CEO of BayWa r.e., this award represents a milestone in the renewable energy industry. They are confident that this project will not only mark a significant technological advancement but also contribute to the sustainable growth of the region and set a precedent for future developments in floating wind energy.