Ocean Winds’ second operating floating wind farm, EFGL (30 MW), and its first in France, represents an important milestone for the global floating offshore wind industry, showcasing the maturity of the technology alongside regional collaboration, local supply chain engagement and environmental integration.
Ocean Winds (OW), the international offshore wind energy company created by EDP Renewables and ENGIE, has started electricity production at its 30 MW Éoliennes Flottantes du Golfe du Lion (EFGL) floating offshore wind farm. With first power now delivered to the French grid, the project is already supplying renewable energy to homes and businesses in South of France.
Developed in partnership with Banque des Territoires, EFGL is marking a major step for floating wind. With its three 10 MW turbines installed on floating foundations, this pilot wind farm located 16 kms off the coast demonstrates the viability of floating offshore wind development and construction in the Mediterranean deeper waters and specific environment.
OW has helped build a robust and sustainable local supply chain across all project phases, from early development to construction. Around 85% of direct suppliers mobilized for the project are French companies or companies based in France, with more than 99% located in Europe and 60% qualifying as small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs). The scale of this collaboration was especially visible during last summer’s assembly and installation campaign at the port of Port-La Nouvelle. Entering its operation phase, the project is already supporting more than 20 workers to monitor energy production and maintenance activities, firmly anchoring local long-term economic activity in Port-La Nouvelle.
The EFGL wind farm is expected to generate around 110,000 MWh/year of clean energy to power annually approximately 50,000 inhabitants for 20 years.
Craig Windram, CEO at Ocean Winds, stated: 'EFGL’s first power reflects OW’s 15-year leadership in floating offshore wind and confirms our excellence in delivering and operating all offshore wind technologies across the world. From floating solutions in challenging deep-water conditions to bottom-fixed projects like Yeu-Noirmoutier reaching full power this same week, we are proving that our industrial expertise and execution capabilities translate into reliable delivery. This milestone reinforces our track record of turning ambition into operational assets, even in the most demanding contexts, and positions us strongly to scale offshore wind globally.'
Marc Hirt, Country Manager for France at Ocean Winds, added: 'The start of electricity production for EFGL is an important milestone for France’s energy sovereignty and for floating wind more broadly. It showcases the industrial maturity, precision, and collaboration needed to bring floating wind to commercial scale, mobilizing European and French players alongside French SMEs in support of the energy transition. We are very proud that this remarkable project is already delivering tangible benefits to the Occitanie region — not only through green energy production, but also through support to the local economy, job creation, and environmental awareness.'
EFGL is a pilot project that paves the way for larger developments, including the Eoliennes Flottantes d’Occitanie (EFLO), a 250 MW floating offshore wind project awarded to OW and Banque des Territoires in late 2024.
In addition, EFGL is also the world’s first nature-inclusive floating wind farm, with artificial marine habitats (Biohut®) designed by local SME company Ecocean, installed at sea to enhance biodiversity. This innovation, combined with advanced engineering and regional cooperation, sets a new standard for responsible offshore wind development worldwide.
The success of EFGL builds on the foundations laid by OW’s first floating offshore wind project WindFloat Atlantic, further demonstrating floating wind’s readiness for commercial scale, both in France and internationally, contributing to the global acceleration of offshore wind energy.
Source: Ocean Winds
