EDF Renewables and Enbridge Éolien France 2, a subsidiary of Enbridge and Canada Pension Plan Investment Board, have announced the full commissioning of Provence Grand Large, the first floating offshore wind farm in France. The 25MW pilot project is located 17 kilometres off the coast of Port-Saint-Louis-du-Rhône in the Gulf of Fos, Bouches-du-Rhône.
The project comprises three Siemens Gamesa wind turbines, each mounted on a floating tension leg platform. This platform technology, developed by SBM Offshore and IFP Energies Nouvelles, is adapted from oil and gas applications and designed for stability in deep-water environments.
Electricity generated by the turbines is transferred to shore via dynamic cables manufactured by Prysmian. These cables are designed to move with the floating platforms and are connected to subsea and terrestrial transmission systems, linking the wind farm to the onshore grid through a connection station operated by RTE.
