In the presence of Roland Lescure, French delegated Minister for Industry and Energy, EDF, through its subsidiary EDF Renewables, EIH S.à.r.l, a subsidiary of Enbridge Inc., Canada Plan Investment Board (CPP Investments) and Skyborn, inaugurated the 500MW Fécamp Offshore Wind Farm. Situated between 13 and 24 km off the northern coast of France, the wind farm will contribute to France's energy transition objectives, aiming to achieve a 33% share of renewable energy in its energy mix by 2030.

Since producing its first megawatt-hour in July 2023 and installing its 71st wind turbine, the Fécamp Offshore Wind Farm has progressively connected to the national grid. In the upcoming weeks, it will have the capacity to provide low-carbon electricity to nearly 770,000 individuals, which is equivalent to 60% of the annual electricity consumption of the Seine-Maritime department.

Collaboration with the community: a pledge for the long term

Throughout the 12-year development and construction journey, the Fécamp Offshore Wind Farm project team has diligently engaged with local stakeholders. This collaborative effort has been instrumental in safeguarding the landscape and surrounding environment while facilitating shared usage of the sea. Extensive dialogues with fishing professionals, residents, elected representatives, and other stakeholders have been pivotal in successfully executing a project that embodies a commitment to energy transition, responsiveness to local needs and resources, and reverence for the environment. Notably, the wind farm's layout has been adjusted, aligning the turbines with the current to accommodate fishing activities.

The collaboration with local stakeholders and the implementation of environmental monitoring measures will persist throughout the operational phase of the Fécamp Offshore Wind Farm.

A Regional Industrial Endeavor in Normandy

During the three-year construction period, the Fécamp offshore wind farm heavily relied on the local infrastructure and expertise of Le Havre and Cherbourg for constructing the gravity foundations and wind turbines. Altogether, the project has generated approximately 3,000 jobs in the Normandy region and entails a total investment of roughly 2 billion euros.

The maintenance base, situated on the Grand Quai peninsula in Fécamp, has led to the creation of around a hundred local jobs to oversee the wind farm's operations. These roles involve various day-to-day responsibilities, including planning maintenance tasks and optimizing electricity production.

Partners’ perspectives

Luc Rémont, EDF Group's Chairman and CEO, expressed pride in inaugurating Normandy's first offshore wind farm. He thanked stakeholders and EDF Renewables teams. Rémont stressed the importance of ongoing dialogue with various groups for the project's success. He highlighted how these projects have shaped a new industrial sector in France, vital for future endeavors like Calvados, Dunkirk and Manche Normandie.

Matthew Akman, Executive VP Corporate Strategy and President, Power, Enbridge Inc., highlighted the completion of the Fécamp Offshore Wind Farm as a significant milestone for Enbridge and its partners. He emphasized Enbridge's commitment to advancing multiple offshore wind projects in France, including Provence Grand Large, Calvados, Dunkirk, and Normandy. Akman expressed gratitude to partners EDF Renewables, CPP Investments, and Skyborn for their collaboration in driving growth in the French offshore wind industry.

Bill Rogers, Managing Director and Global Head of Sustainable Energies at CPP Investments, highlighted their collaboration with EDF Renewables, Enbridge, and Skyborn on the Fécamp Offshore Wind Farm. He emphasized its role in advancing France's offshore wind capacity and their focus on such projects due to global decarbonization goals.

Thomas Karst, CEO of Skyborn, expressed pride in realizing the Fécamp Offshore Wind Farm, emphasizing its significance in the clean energy transition. He thanked partners EDF Renewables, Enbridge, and CPP Investments for their collaboration.