In Le Havre, the offshore wind turbine factory will produce more powerful machines to compete with China

"Our goal is to produce in France the components needed for future wind farms. To achieve this, it is essential to manufacture more powerful turbines, adapted to the evolution of technologies," declared the Minister for Energy, Marc Ferracci, during the laying of the first stone of the extension.

Inaugurated in 2022, on a 36-hectare site, the factory now produces blades of 75 and 81 meters in length and assembles nacelles for 7 or 8 MW wind turbines. It equips five French offshore wind farms under construction (Courseulles-sur-mer, Yeu-Noirmoutier, Dieppe-Le Tréport) or in service (Fécamp, Saint Brieuc).

The extension, which is expected to be completed in 2026, "will take offshore wind power into another dimension" by producing 115-metre-long blades, according to the subsidiary of German energy company Siemens Energy, which was formed from the merger of Siemens Wind Power and Gamesa.

"With a rotor of 236 meters and a power of 14 MW," she specifies, "this sixth generation of Siemens Gamesa machines will be among the most powerful in the world", without however dethroning China.

In China, manufacturers are already engaged in a race for gigantism, with wind turbines of up to 18 MW of power today and others announced in development at 22 MW by the world leader Goldwind.

In total, the project received nearly 170 million euros in public support: 35 million in European funding, 80 million from local authorities and 54 million euros in tax credits. "Significant support, assumed" in the face of "increasingly fierce and sometimes unfair competition," the minister said, targeting China, without naming it.

This project "allows France and Europe to remain at the heart of the development, manufacturing and installation of our offshore wind turbines," assured Yara Chaktoura, President for France of Siemens Energy and Siemens Gamesa in a press release.

"France's position is clear: Europe must prepare to respond and arm itself. We must do more to support our industries and our jobs, in particular by integrating a European preference in public procurement," Mr Ferracci stressed.

The minister also announced the introduction of "resilience criteria in the next calls for tenders", to promote "local industrial content and the purchase of turbines manufactured in Europe and France". These "eligibility and selection" criteria will be implemented "this year" for call for tenders no. 9, the winners of which will be designated "by the end of 2025".

As of September 30, 2024, France had reached an installed offshore wind capacity of 1,5 GW. It aims for 18 GW of offshore wind by 2035 and 45 GW by 2050.