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BayWa r.e., an international producer offshore and onshore wind energy, and Elicio have been prequalified to take part in the Mediterranean floating offshore tender in France.
The floating offshore wind project is being jointly developed by the two companies for the third time. They have pre-qualified for a tender to be held in Southern Brittany and were awarded the 960 MW NE8 site as part of the ScotWind tender earlier in the year.
Strong base in the Mediterranean
BayWa r. e. & Elicio have the ability to rely on their local expertise and locations as they move forward in the development process. This includes Aix-en-Provence, Montpellier, Marseille, Toulouse and Carcassonne.
Aldrik de Fombelle (Director of Offshore Wind Development at Elicio) stated that offshore wind projects are the first and most important regional projects. In the Mediterranean where there is a lot of biodiversity and people have been sailing and fishing for thousands of years, we are keen to collaborate with local ecosystems, especially industrial and environmental ones, as well as sea users and other stakeholders.
Joint development of more than 1.7 GW projects
By 2030, the Buchan Offshore Wind Project in Scotland, with a capacity to generate 960 MW, is expected to be operational.
The tender in Southern Brittany is scheduled for the beginning next year. The winner will be chosen mid-2023.
With this new pre-qualification, Elicio and BayWa r. e. now have more than 1.7 GW of projects under development.
Felipe Cornago (Commercial Director Offshore Wind BayWa r.e.) said, “We are delighted to strengthen our partner with Elicio. This is replicating the success that we have seen with Brittany and ScotWind tenders. Participation in the Mediterranean tender demonstrates our determination and ambition to strengthen BayWa r. e.’s position as a global offshore wind leader. Partnerships such as the one we have with Elicio are key to our goals in the offshore space.
1.5GW floating offshore wind will be developed in the Mediterranean Sea
The new commercial tender calls for two wind farms with 250 MW each, off the coast of La Narbonnaise and the Gulf of Fos. They will be more than 22km from the coast, and cover an area of 50 km2. Each farm will receive 500 MW of extension. The tender process will result in the selection of the winners. Wind farms are expected to be operational by 2030.
France is now among the top countries for floating offshore wind power, thanks to this second commercial tender. Corentin Sivy from BayWa r. e. France, Director of Wind Projects, stated that the Mediterranean basin with its three pilot projects should be a center of excellence and create local jobs in this technology.
