Vergnet is supplying the turbine, which will be an adapted version of its two-bladed 1MW onshore GEV-HP machine, although originally this was supposed to be 2.5-3MW. DCNS will manufacture the semi-submersible platform.
The aim is to install the turbine by the summer.
Components will be assembled at Brest next spring before being towed to the test site for 12-18 months of offshore testing. The budget for the demonstration phase stands at around EUR 40 million.
Once the initial test is complete, and any necessary modifications have been made, the intention is to scale up to allow the platform to carry a larger turbine.
A 5MW rated turbine is currently the goal. A second, larger offshore test would take place in waters near the island of Groix.
The other members of the Winflo consortium are DCNS, one of Europe's leading ship-builders; Italy's Saipem, which designs oil and gas platforms; In Vivo Environnement, a specialist in marine environmental impact studies; and Ifremer and ENTSA Bretagne, two French marine research centres.
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