GDF SUEZ, VINCI and AREVA have signed a partnership agreement to build up a competitive, sustainable offshore wind industry which will bring jobs. The alliance has been formed to allow the groups to reply jointly to the call for tenders announced by the French President of the Republic in January 2011. The government is targeting 6000 MW of offshore wind capacity by 2020 and intends to build five offshore wind farms along the French coast. This agreement will lead to the creation of an industrial platform around three major players with complementary expertise in renewable energies and construction, applies exclusively to three wind farms at Dieppe-Le Tréport, Courseullessur- Mer and Fécamp.
These three offshore wind farms should cover the electricity requirements of several million people for an average duration of 30 years. Their installation should mobilize thousands of direct and indirect jobs during their construction period and up to four thousand direct and long-term jobs for the industrial production, operation and maintenance activities.
GDF SUEZ is France’s leading wind power producer with almost 1000 MW of installed capacity. It has acquired comprehensive know-how across the entire chain which it now intends to enhance with its offshore projects.
In France, GDF SUEZ works with a number of specialized subsidiaries and attaches great importance to its relationship with local communities and stakeholders. With its subsidiary La Compagnie du Vent, GDF SUEZ has been working on the Deux Côtes project.
This zone is situated within the Dieppe-Le Tréport area being put out to tender by the government for an offshore wind farm with an installed capacity of up to 750 MW.
