EDF Renewables and Enbridge celebrated the production of the first GE Renewable Energy nacelle, for the future wind farm implemented by EDF Renewables-Enbridge in Saint-Nazaire.
This nacelle, which contains the generator, is the first to be installed by GE Renewable Energy at the Montoir-de-Bretagne production site in a series of Haliade 150-6MW wind turbines, generated for the Saint-Nazaire offshore wind farm.
This wind farm, which has been under construction for one year, will consist of 80 wind turbines a kilometer apart and 12 to 20 kilometers off the coast. When it goes into service in 2022, it can generate enough power to provide 20 per cent of the Loire-Atlantique department’s electricity consumption.
A new stage in the structuring of the French offshore wind farm industry, providing a significant economic effect in the area of Pays de la Loire and a showcase for French know-how.
The offshore wind farm at Saint-Nazaire helps improve the economic development of the area, creating a total of over 1,000 local jobs during the construction process.
This project is bringing GE Renewable Energy, EDF Renewables and Enbridge into a new phase of growth in the French wind farm industry. GE Renewable Energy became the first organization to invest in wind turbine assembly plants in France following three projects attributed to the consortium led by EDF Renewables in 2012.
More than 500 employees of GE Renewable Energy will be involved in the construction of this first French offshore wind farm, at the Montoir-de-Bretagne nacelle assembly plant and at the Nantes GE office (engineering, sourcing, quality, services) which currently employs more than 200 staff.
When the Saint-Nazaire plant is completely assembled, 200 new workers will be added to the workforce.
Although the development of GE Renewable Energy continues, earthworks are being completed in preparation for the storage and installation of the wind turbine components at Saint-Nazaire harbour. Starting in 2021, wind turbines will be stored there.
Installation at sea will occur in 2021 when the foundations are anchored and the inter-turbine cables buried. Then, in the summer, the electric substation will be installed at sea.
The first wind turbines could be installed offshore in spring 2022, and commissioned gradually. This startup phase will last till the end of the year.
The next 25-year period of operations and maintenance will then start. Approximately 100 sustainable jobs will be created for daily operations related to the maintenance base situated at La Turballe port. The arrangement between EDF Renewables, Enbridge and GE Renewable Energy also includes the multi-year contract for the maintenance services for wind farm turbines.
“I am proud to celebrate today, along with local authorities, our partners EDF Renewables and Enbridge, and our employees, a new stage in the construction of the first French offshore wind farm in Saint-Nazaire. At GE Renewable Energy, we are excited to be engaging our skills and know-how in this historic project. By producing these 80 Haliade 150-6MW wind turbines, we enhance our contribution to consolidating the French wind farm industry, a competitive, exportable industry with long-term prospects, and that generates employment.”
Jérôme Pécresse, president & CEO of GE Renewable Energy.
“We are very happy to be present today to witness the tangible progress of the first offshore wind farm in France, with the production of its first nacelle. This wind farm project off the coast of Saint Nazaire, which we have been working on for several years, belongs above all to the Pays de La Loire Region which has contributed greatly to the creation of a new French industry. Over 1,000 region residents will participate in this project. This offshore wind farm constitutes a big step forward for renewable energy development in France.“
Bruno Bensasson, EDF Group senior executive vice-president Renewable Energies.
