Sian Crampsie
France has expanded its offshore wind tender to include an area off the island of Oléron.
Energy and environment minister Ségolène Royal has mandated local authorities to continue consultations and define an area for the development of an offshore wind farm near Oléron off the country’s Atlantic coast.
Ms Royal added that the new call for tenders was part of the multiannual energy programme (PEE), which was published in late October by the government.
PEE sets ambitious targets for the development of renewable energy as well as industrial growth in the green energy sectors.
So far this year, the French government has awarded four pilot projects for offshore wind farms around the coast as well as launched calls for tenders for several other offshore wind farms and tidal turbines. The Oléron project will benefit from new innovations in France, including a new competitive dialogue procedure, Ms Royal said.
