Ocean Winds has started electricity production at its 30 MW Éoliennes Flottantes du Golfe du Lion (EFGL) floating offshore wind farm, marking the company’s second operational floating wind project globally and its first in France.
The project, located 16 kilometres off the coast of Port-La Nouvelle, has now delivered its first power to the French grid and is supplying renewable electricity to homes and businesses in the south of the country. Developed in partnership with Banque des Territoires, the pilot wind farm is equipped with three 10 MW turbines installed on floating foundations, designed for deployment in deep-water conditions in the Mediterranean.
Pilot project to support floating wind scale-up
EFGL is expected to generate around 110,000 MWh of electricity per year, enough to supply approximately 50,000 inhabitants annually over a 20-year period. The project is positioned as a demonstration of the technical and industrial viability of floating offshore wind, particularly in complex marine environments.
According to Ocean Winds, the project also reflects the maturity of floating wind technology and highlights the role of regional collaboration, local supply chains and environmental integration in its deployment.
Strong local and European supply chain
The company stated that around 85% of its direct suppliers involved in EFGL are French companies or based in France, while more than 99% are located in Europe. In addition, 60% of suppliers qualify as small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
The scale of industrial activity was particularly visible during the assembly and installation campaign carried out last summer at the port of Port-La Nouvelle. Now in operation, the project supports more than 20 jobs linked to monitoring energy production and maintenance, contributing to long-term local economic activity.
Industrial milestone for Ocean Winds and France
Craig Windram, CEO of Ocean Winds, said the delivery of first power reflects the company’s experience in floating offshore wind and its capability to develop and operate offshore technologies globally, including both floating and bottom-fixed projects such as Yeu-Noirmoutier, which recently reached full power.
Marc Hirt, Country Manager for France at Ocean Winds, described the project as a milestone for France’s energy sovereignty and for the development of floating wind, highlighting its contribution to industrial development, job creation and the energy transition in the Occitanie region.
Platform for future developments and environmental innovation
EFGL is part of a broader pipeline of floating offshore wind projects and is expected to pave the way for larger developments, including the 250 MW Eoliennes Flottantes d’Occitanie (EFLO) project, awarded to Ocean Winds and Banque des Territoires in 2024.
The project also incorporates environmental measures, including the installation of artificial marine habitats (Biohut®) developed by Ecocean to support biodiversity. According to the company, this makes EFGL the first nature-inclusive floating wind farm globally.
Ocean Winds noted that the project builds on the experience gained from its first floating offshore wind farm, WindFloat Atlantic, and supports the broader deployment of floating wind technology at commercial scale in France and internationally.