Ocean Winds (OW), the offshore wind company jointly owned by EDP Renewables and ENGIE, has reached full operational capacity at its 30 MW Éoliennes Flottantes du Golfe du Lion (EFGL) floating offshore wind farm, located off the coast of Occitanie in southern France.

Developed in partnership with Banque des Territoires, the project is located 16 kilometres offshore and consists of three 10 MW wind turbines installed on semi-submersible floating foundations. With this milestone, EFGL officially enters full commercial operation, becoming Ocean Winds’ second operational floating offshore wind project worldwide and its second offshore wind project in France, following the 500 MW Yeu-Noirmoutier bottom-fixed wind farm.

The commissioning marks another step forward for floating offshore wind technology, which is expected to play an increasingly important role in harnessing wind resources in deep-water areas where fixed-bottom foundations are not suitable. France considers floating wind a strategic technology for the future development of offshore wind in the Mediterranean.

Renewable electricity for around 50,000 people

According to Ocean Winds, EFGL will generate approximately 110,000 MWh of renewable electricity annually, enough to supply the equivalent electricity demand of around 50,000 people over the project's expected 20-year operating life.

The company has also established a dedicated operations and maintenance base in Port-La Nouvelle, where more than 20 local workers will oversee the wind farm's monitoring and maintenance activities.

Strong European supply chain participation

Ocean Winds highlighted the project's contribution to regional industry, noting that 99% of its direct suppliers are European, while 85% are French or France-based companies. In addition, 60% of the suppliers involved are small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).

The company said the experience gained through EFGL will support the future commercial deployment of floating offshore wind projects in France and international markets.

Biodiversity measures integrated into the project

Alongside renewable energy generation, the wind farm incorporates engineering solutions designed to support marine biodiversity, including Biohut® artificial marine habitats developed by the French company Ecocean, which are intended to promote marine life around the floating structures.

According to Ocean Winds, EFGL is the world's first operational floating offshore wind farm to integrate these nature-inclusive solutions from the start of commercial operations.