TotalEnergies and RWE have won access to France’s biggest renewable energy project, the 1.5 gigawatt wind farm Centre Manche 2, over 40 kilometers off the coast of Normandy. The investment, costing €4.5 billion, is TotalEnergies’ biggest investment in three decades domestically and will produce 6 million kWh of energy per year, which is enough to supply more than one million French households.
France awards the largest renewable energy project contract
The consortium set up by TotalEnergies and RWE has been chosen by the Minister in charge of Industry and Energy as the winner of the Centre Manche 2 (AO8) Offshore wind tender. The consortium will be responsible for designing, developing, building, and operating a 1.5 gigawatt (GW) offshore wind farm off the coast of Normandy. Located more than 40km from the coasts of Normandy, this will be the largest renewable energy project ever developed in France.
When constructed, it will produce around 6 Terawatt hours annually and provide green electricity for the equivalent of more than 1 million French households. The price of the electricity will be at a competitive schedule, set at EUR66/MWh, according to the tender. TotalEnergies will be the operator of the project, drawing on its experience with offshore wind and managing large-scale marine energy projects.
RWE pulls out consortium, leaving TotalEnergies as the sole operator
As part of a strategic review of its investments, RWE has said it would like to leave the consortium, subject to the approval of French authorities. In any case, TotalEnergies will follow the project, with all the commitments of the consortium, and propose to bring a new partner on board in the project. TotalEnergies has plans for up to 2,500 people to work in the three years of construction.
Massive investment spurs regional economic development
The project is estimated to be worth a total of EUR4.5 billion in investment and will rate highly on economic benefits to the Normandy territory. Up to 2,500 people will be employed over the three years of construction, and TotalEnergies has pledged to provide 500,000 hours of work to apprentices and persons in professional reintegration. TotalEnergies is also planning to engage the local economic ecosystem with expertise that has already been developed in the field of offshore wind.
The project will also benefit the European industry with TotalEnergies envisaging to source mainly from European suppliers, especially for wind turbines and electric cables. TotalEnergies is planning to work with European suppliers for most suppliers for the project, especially among wind turbines and electrical cables. The Company will continue the required studies to get to a final investment decision in early 2029.
Community engagement facilitates proper regional integration
In the coming months, a dedicated TotalEnergies team, based in Normandy, will carry on the consultation work with local and regional stakeholders, which started during the tender phase. It will ensure the proper integration of the project in the presence of the Normandy region, being a coexistence with commercial fishing. TotalEnergies will also put in place financing through crowdfunding that will enable residents and authorities in the Normandy region to invest in the project.
Environmental commitments for sustainability and recycling
TotalEnergies will contribute €45 million towards measures to avoid, reduce, and offset the impacts of the project, but also €15 million to a biodiversity promotion fund in Normandy. In addition, TotalEnergies will be responsible for the fund of People’s Initiative (5000/5000 tera) aimed to support initiatives related to training, education, and people’s culture in Normandy for a total of 10 million euros.
TotalEnergies’ commitment to European sourcing, engagement in communities, and exceptional recycling standards sets new benchmarks for offshore wind development. Despite RWE’s plans to exit the activity, the strategic importance of the project ensures that the project continues with momentum to meet these national cleantech and sea-driven economic development goals in Normandy.