QAZAQ GREEN. Ocean Winds, the offshore wind joint venture of EDP Renewables and ENGIE, has announced that its 30 MW Éoliennes Flottantes du Golfe du Lion (EFGL) floating offshore wind farm has reached full power and entered full commercial operation.

The project is Ocean Winds' second floating offshore wind farm globally and its second operational project in France after the 500 MW Yeu-Noirmoutier fixed-bottom offshore wind farm.

Located 16 km off the coast of Occitanie, EFGL comprises three 10 MW wind turbines installed on semi-submersible floating foundations. Developed in partnership with Banque des Territoires, the pilot project is intended to demonstrate the commercial viability of floating offshore wind technology for deeper waters in the Mediterranean.

According to Ocean Winds, the project relied on a predominantly European supply chain, with 99% of direct suppliers based in Europe, 85% located in France or French companies, and 60% representing small and medium-sized enterprises.

The wind farm is expected to generate approximately 110,000 MWh of clean electricity annually, enough to meet the electricity needs of the equivalent of around 50,000 people over the next 20 years.

To support long-term operations, Ocean Winds has established a dedicated operations and maintenance base at Port-La Nouvelle, creating more than 20 permanent local jobs.

EFGL also became the world's first operational floating offshore wind farm to incorporate nature-inclusive engineering solutions, including Biohut® artificial marine habitats developed by French company Ecocean to support marine biodiversity.

Ocean Winds said the project will provide valuable operational experience and help establish best practices for the future commercial deployment of floating offshore wind projects in France and internationally.