New Energy World magazine logo
New Energy World magazine logo
ISSN 2753-7757 (Online)

French offshore wind factory begins production

6/4/2022

News

The factory in Le Havre, France at night Photo: VINCI Construction
The factory in Le Havre, France, will manufacture both nacelles and blades for wind turbines under one roof

Photo: VINCI Construction

Siemens Gamesa has started manufacturing its patented Direct Drive wind turbine nacelles and IntegralBlades blades for offshore wind turbines at a new facility in Le Havre, France. The plant is said to be the world’s first to manufacture both offshore nacelles and blades under one roof and is France’s biggest industrial renewable project.

In addition, a dedicated installation hub at the site will allow load out of components to French offshore wind power plants, while a training centre has been created for employees and the new offshore wind specific competencies that are needed. The facility is expected to employ 750 people in total. 

France currently has no commercial offshore wind farms in operation. However, in February this year, the French government signed the French Offshore Sector Deal committing to install 18 GW by 2035 and 40 MW by 2050. 

Siemens Gamesa has approximately 2.5 GW of capacity currently planned in France, including firm orders for the 496 MW Bay of Saint Brieuc project, the 497 MW Fecamp wind farm, the 448 MW Calvados
 (formerly Courseulles-sur-Mer) development, and the 24 MW Provence Grand Large floating offshore wind power project. Preferred supplier agreements include the 496 MW Yeu Noirmoutier project and the 496 MW Dieppe le Tréport wind farm. The projects will in total use both Siemens Gamesa 7 MW and 8 MW offshore Direct Drive nacelles, as well as 75-metre long B75 blades and 81-metre long B81 blades.