It is increasingly unlikely that the French government’s second offshore wind tender will be unveiled before the end of the year, given that the marine zones to be the focus of development bids have yet to be specified, “uåX˜äŠÊ˜·³Ç Offshore has learned.
Key personnel with offshore wind expertise within the French energy ministry have departed, following May’s election of a Socialist-led government. This means the ministry will need time more time to prepare for the second tender, according to commentators close to the process. Companies hoping to bid for second-round projects have not yet been told which sea zones will be earmarked for development.
“uåX˜äŠÊ˜·³Ç Offshore first reported last month that some French wind industry observers are expecting the second tender to be delayed until early 2013. More recent comments from within France’s emerging offshore wind industry have reinforced this message.
Developers thought to be preparing second-round bids include Nass & Wind Offshore and WPD. Res Group has confirmed to “uåX˜äŠÊ˜·³Ç Offshore that it has "every intention" of participating in the second French tender via its French subsidiary Eole-RES. Nass & Wind Offshore, WPD and Eole-Res are all members of consortia that won first tender round development bids.
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