TotalEnergies has officially submitted the authorization application for the Centre Manche Energies offshore wind project, a 1.5 GW development located off the coast of Normandy that is set to become the largest renewable energy project ever developed in France.

The application was filed eight months after the French government awarded the project to Centre Manche Energies, a wholly owned subsidiary of TotalEnergies. The company described the move as a “major milestone” in the project’s development.

“We are delighted to have filed for authorization and to have reached this major milestone for Centre Manche Energies,” said Thierry Muller, Project Director for Centre Manche Energies. He also acknowledged the contribution of technical partners, regional stakeholders and public authorities involved in the process.

The application dossier includes technical and environmental studies, a preliminary design of the wind farm and the planned installation program. According to TotalEnergies, the environmental impact assessment incorporates the findings of surveys conducted to date, consultations with government departments and feedback gathered during stakeholder engagement activities.

A €4.5 billion investment for Normandy

The offshore wind farm will be located more than 40 kilometers off the Normandy coast and is expected to generate around 6 TWh of renewable electricity annually — enough to supply more than one million French households.

The project represents an estimated investment of €4.5 billion and is expected to create up to 2,500 jobs during the three-year construction phase. TotalEnergies also said it plans to rely on local expertise in the offshore wind sector and prioritize European suppliers, particularly for wind turbines and electric cables.

With the submission now completed, the permitting process enters a new phase that includes the review of the dossier by French authorities. At the same time, Centre Manche Eneries will continue consultations with local officials, environmental organizations, maritime stakeholders and the wider public to support the project’s integration into the regional economy and community.

The Centre Manche Energies project marks another step in France’s offshore wind expansion strategy, as the country seeks to accelerate the deployment of renewable energy and strengthen its low-carbon electricity system.