Ocean Winds has achieved another milestone in Europe’s offshore wind sector after bringing its Éoliennes Flottantes du Golfe du Lion (EFGL) project into full commercial operation, marking the successful completion of one of France’s pioneering floating wind developments.
Located around 16 kilometres off the coast of Occitanie in the Mediterranean Sea, the 30 MW project consists of three 10 MW wind turbines installed on semi-submersible floating foundations. The project is designed to demonstrate how floating offshore wind can unlock renewable energy resources in deeper waters that are unsuitable for conventional fixed-bottom installations.
The achievement represents Ocean Winds’ second operational offshore wind project in France, following the commissioning of the 500 MW Yeu-Noirmoutier offshore wind farm earlier this year, while also becoming the company’s second floating offshore wind installation worldwide.
Floating wind moves beyond demonstration
Unlike traditional offshore wind farms that rely on foundations fixed to the seabed, floating wind turbines are mounted on buoyant platforms anchored to the seabed with mooring systems. The technology is increasingly viewed as essential for countries with steep coastal seabeds, including France, Spain, Portugal and several Mediterranean markets, where deeper waters limit the deployment of conventional offshore wind.
The EFGL project is expected to produce approximately 110,000 MWh of electricity annually, enough to supply the equivalent electricity demand of around 50,000 people over its planned 20-year operating life.
According to Ocean Winds, the project provides valuable operational experience that will support the future deployment of larger commercial floating offshore wind farms in France and internationally.
Local supply chain played central role
Developed in partnership with Banque des Territoires, EFGL also demonstrates the growing maturity of the European floating wind supply chain.
Ocean Winds said 99% of its direct suppliers are European, while 85% are French or France-based companies. Around 60% of the businesses involved were small and medium-sized enterprises, highlighting the role of domestic industry in delivering emerging offshore renewable technologies.
The operational phase will also create lasting economic activity around the port of Port-La Nouvelle, where Ocean Winds has established a dedicated operations and maintenance base employing more than 20 local specialists responsible for monitoring turbine performance and carrying out maintenance throughout the project’s lifetime.
Ocean Winds sees floating wind as a strategic technology
Craig Windram, Chief Executive Officer of Ocean Winds, said the project demonstrates the company’s ability to deliver increasingly complex offshore renewable energy developments.
“Floating offshore wind will play a critical role in the future energy mix, particularly in countries with deep coastal waters such as France. EFGL reaching full power reflects Ocean Winds’ long-term vision and our ability to deliver complex floating projects safely and efficiently, in close collaboration with national, regional and local stakeholders across the entire value chain.”
Marc Hirt, Ocean Winds’ Country Manager for France, said the project proves floating offshore wind has moved beyond the experimental stage.
“EFGL is a concrete demonstration that floating offshore wind is no longer a future concept, but an operational reality in France. This project showcases the expertise developed across the French and European supply chain and confirms the strategic role the Mediterranean can play in the next phase of offshore wind development.”
Nature-inclusive design incorporated into the project
Alongside electricity generation, the project incorporates several environmental measures intended to support marine biodiversity.
Among them are Biohut® artificial marine habitats, developed by French company Ecocean, which have been integrated into the floating structures to encourage the development of marine ecosystems around the installation. Ocean Winds describes EFGL as the world’s first operational floating offshore wind farm designed with this type of nature-inclusive approach.
Building towards larger commercial projects
While EFGL is a relatively small 30 MW pilot project, its strategic importance extends beyond its generation capacity. Operational experience from the wind farm is expected to inform future commercial-scale floating offshore wind developments in the Mediterranean and other deep-water regions.
Ocean Winds already has a significant offshore wind portfolio in France. Alongside the operational EFGL and the recently commissioned 500 MW Yeu-Noirmoutier project, the company is constructing the 500 MW Dieppe Le Tréport offshore wind farm and is developing the 250 MW Éoliennes Flottantes d’Occitanie (EFLO) floating wind project, awarded under France’s AO6 offshore wind tender.
Together, these projects position Ocean Winds among the leading developers supporting France’s expansion of offshore renewable energy and the commercialisation of floating wind technology.
