Press release
Iberdrola commissions the second French offshore wind farm and the first in Brittany
- Iberdrola, through its subsidiary Ailes Marines , today announces the full commissioning of the second French offshore wind farm and the first in Brittany. To date, it is equipped with the most powerful turbines ever installed on a wind farm in France.
- With an annual production of 1,820 GWh/year, the 62 wind turbines represent the annual electricity consumption of 835,000 inhabitants (heating included) or 9% of Brittany's total electricity consumption.
- Saint-Brieuc is the 4th offshore wind farm developed, built and operated by Iberdrola in the world after those of West of Duddon Sands (Irish Sea, 389 MW), Wikinger (Baltic Sea, 350 MW) and East Anglia One ( North Sea, 714 MW).
- Iberdrola also began construction of Baltic Eagle (476 MW) in Germany, East Anglia 3 (1.4 GW) in the United Kingdom and Vineyard Wind 1 (806 MW), the first offshore wind farm in the United States.
Complete commissioning of the Saint-Brieuc offshore wind farm
Iberdrola makes Saint-Brieuc the second offshore wind farm completely in service in France and the first in Brittany.
Since May 28, 2024, the park's wind turbines with a capacity of 496 MW (megawatts) have been operational.
From now on, the entire production of the 62 turbines is injected into the national electricity network by RTE. To date, the 8 MW turbines are the most powerful to be installed on an offshore wind farm in France.
Located as close as 16.2 km from the Breton coast, the park's production is approximately 1,820 GWh/year (gigawatt hours per year), which represents 9% of Brittany's total electricity consumption.
Thus, with this new commissioning, Iberdrola consolidates its position as leader in the development and operation of wind farms around the world.
Saint-Brieuc is the 4th offshore wind farm developed, built and operated by Iberdrola in the world, after those of West of Duddon Sands (Irish Sea, 389 MW), Wikinger (Baltic Sea, 350 MW) and East Anglia One (North Sea, 714 MW).
Iberdrola also began construction of Baltic Eagle (476 MW) in Germany, East Anglia 3 (1.4 GW) in the United Kingdom and Vineyard Wind 1 (806 MW), the first offshore wind farm in the United States.
“ We are particularly proud to announce today the full commissioning of the Saint-Brieuc offshore wind farm, twelve years after being named the winner and three years after the start of installation work. I would like to thank all the local stakeholders who have supported us over all these years, as well as the Iberdrola teams and our suppliers, who have been involved since 2012 in the realization of this gigantic industrial project, serving the energy transition and employment in France” welcomes Emmanuel Rollin, France Director of Iberdrola.
“ The challenge for us, as a European player in renewable energies, was to create the foundations of a sustainable industrial wind power sector in the French and Breton seas. We have involved local companies in this project, supporting them in particular with training to develop their skills and expertise in this rapidly developing segment, ” comments Stéphane-Alain Riou Offshore Wind Director Iberdrola France.
A contribution to the French offshore wind industry
The total investment in the Saint-Brieuc offshore wind farm, whose development began in 2012, amounts to 2.4 billion euros, entirely financed by Iberdrola.
The development and construction of the park mobilized more than 1,700 jobs in France, including more than 500 in Brittany.
Since 2012, from the start of the project, Ailes Marines has included the Saint-Brieuc park as an engine of economic development for the region, with the aim of bringing together and getting local businesses to work on this project.
Ailes Marines therefore favored the use of services from local companies, when the skills existed, or the establishment of companies locally, to provide new skills. More than a hundred local companies were involved in the project during its development and construction phase.
The components of the jacket foundation were thus partly built and assembled on the Brest polder (29) by the Navantia Windar consortium and its subcontractors. The electrical equipment for the masts of the 62 wind turbines was also assembled by the Haizea Breizh company on the Brest polder.
The wind turbines of the Saint-Brieuc park were manufactured in France, on the new industrial site of Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy, located on the port of Le Havre (76).
The resumption of maritime activities under study
The park was designed with the objective of maintaining fishing activities and navigation.
Everything has been done for this purpose: moving 6km north to get out of the main scallop bed, spacing and orientation of the wind turbine lines, burying the inter-wind turbine cables, setting up specific markings... Ailes Marines -Iberdrola has been working for more than a year with representatives of the Maritime prefecture, the Côtes d'Armor prefecture and representatives of sea users, including the CDPMEM22, on the resumption of activities within the park. The maritime prefect, responsible for maritime safety, should issue a prefectural decree in the coming weeks concerning the return of activities and the rules for cohabitation within the park.
About Iberdrola
Iberdrola , the largest electricity supplier in Europe in terms of market capitalization, and one of the three largest in the world, positions itself as a leader in the field of renewable energies, pioneering the energy transition towards a low-cost economy. carbon emissions. The group provides energy to nearly 100 million people in dozens of countries. Iberdrola's main markets, which focus on renewable energy, smart grids and intelligent solutions for customers are Europe (Spain, United Kingdom, Portugal, France, Germany, Italy and Greece), the United States United, Brazil, Mexico and Australia. The company is also present in growing markets such as Japan, Taiwan, Ireland, Sweden and Poland.
The company employs more than 40,600 people and has assets of more than €154.6 billion. In 2023, Iberdrola recorded a turnover of almost 49.3 billion euros, a net profit of 4.8 billion euros. It helps support more than 400,000 jobs in communities across its supply chain. A benchmark in the fight against climate change, Iberdrola has invested more than 150 billion euros over the last two decades to contribute to the construction of a sustainable energy model, based on solid environmental, social and governance criteria.
About Ailes Marines
Ailes Marines , a French company 100% owned by IBERDROLA, was named the winner in 2012 of the offshore wind call for tenders launched by the State. It developed and built the Saint-Brieuc Bay park, which started production in 2023. Made up of 62 Siemens Gamesa SG 8.0-167 DD 8 MW wind turbines manufactured in Le Havre, for an installed capacity of 496 MW, Saint -Brieuc is the first marine wind farm in Brittany. Its production of 1,820 GWh/year corresponds to the annual electricity consumption of 835,000 inhabitants (heating included) or 9% of the total electricity consumption of Brittany. The project greatly contributed to the launch of the offshore wind industrial sector, mobilizing more than 1,700 jobs in France, including more than 500 in Brittany. From now on, the Saint-Brieuc offshore wind farm reduces Brittany's energy dependence while contributing to the objectives of the Multi-Annual Energy Program (PPE).
All information concerning the Saint-Brieuc offshore wind farm project developed by the company Ailes Marines is available on the website https://ailes-marines.bzh/
Iberdrola a committed player in the French market
Present in France for around twenty years, Iberdrola develops, builds and operates renewable energy projects in France, prioritizing respect for the environment and the social and economic development of the regions where its installations are located. The company plans to invest around €47 billion by 2025, mainly in renewable energy projects.
Iberdrola operates 11 onshore wind projects in France with a total installed capacity of 118 MW. Regarding these onshore activities, the company is developing a portfolio of wind and photovoltaic projects of more than 1.2 GW at different stages of advancement, from Paris and with its regional offices in Lyon, Nantes, Nancy, Bordeaux, Limoges and Marseilles. Regarding these offshore activities, the company has completed the installation of the Brittany offshore wind farm with a capacity of 496 MW.
All information concerning the Saint-Brieuc offshore wind farm project developed by the company Ailes Marines is available on the website www.ailes-marines.bzh
Ailes Marines news on X @AilesMarines
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The Saint-Brieuc offshore wind farm is once again accessible to maritime and fishing activities
The resumption of maritime and fishing activities in the Saint-Brieuc offshore wind farm has been effective since July 1, 2024.