EDF to lead French offshore consortium bid

FRANCE: Six major wind energy companies led by EDF Energies Nouvelles (EDF EN) have announced they are pooling their expertise and investment capacity to respond to the government's call for 3GW of offshore wind power announced yesterday.

by Jan Dodd 12 July 2011

The other members of the consortium are Dong Energy, Nass&Wind Offshore, Poweo Renewables, Wpd Offshore and Alstom.

As overall leader and founder of the consortium, EDF EN will hold a majority stake in the parent company and coordinate the bids.

It will also also provide "its technological, industrial and financial expertise as well as its offshore experience from the construction of two offshore projects in the UK and in Belgium," the company says.

Dong Energy will bring over 20 years' experience in offshore wind, while Nass&Wind Offshore, Poweo Renewables and Wpd Offshore have projects under development in the five zones being offered for tender.

Cornerstone of the project is the exclusive agreement with Alstom to supply its new 6MW direct-drive turbine, due for commercial production in 2014.

If the consortium wins sufficient volumes, Alstom plans to build an industrial and technological hub in France to manufacture generators, blades and nacelles, the company says.

The consortium plans to bid for all five zones. Each project will be owned by a dedicated company in which the consortium will hold a majority share, alongside the developer.