Press release
Iberdrola reaffirms its ambitions in the field of French offshore wind energy by acquiring 100% of the capital of Ailes Marines
Paris - March 9, 2020 - Iberdrola has reaffirmed its ambitions in the offshore wind energy sector, following the conclusion of an agreement to acquire 100% of the company Ailes Marines. Ailes Marines develops, builds and operates the offshore wind farm in Saint-Brieuc, France, a country that has become an increasingly strategic market for Iberdrola.
9
Mars
20
A new impetus
Iberdrola, which already owned 70% of the consortium's capital, bought the remaining 30% from Avel Vor, after receiving the green light from the French Minister of Economy and Finance.
The transaction will enable the company to give new impetus to the offshore wind project, whose construction is due to start in 2021. Once it is fully operational in 2023, the installed capacity of 496 megawatts will produce enough clean energy to meet the energy needs of approximately 835,000 consumers.
Saint-Brieuc offshore wind farm
Located 16 kilometres off the coast of Brittany, the Saint-Brieuc wind farm will require a total investment of around €2.4 billion. It will be equipped with 62 Siemens Gamesa wind turbines, each with a capacity of 8 MW, installed over an area of 75 square kilometres. The wind turbines will be 207 metres high.
Saint-Brieuc is a key project within the framework of the energy transition and the fight against global warming initiated by the French government.
Iberdrola is also active in the retail energy market and is considering new opportunities in the field of onshore wind energy in France.
Iberdrola, its firm commitment to wind energy
Almost twenty years after becoming a pioneer in the field of onshore wind energy, Iberdrola continues to be at the forefront of the development of offshore wind energy, a market with great potential. The company currently has approximately 12.4 GW (gigawatts) of projects under development in three main areas: the North Sea, the Baltic Sea and the United States.
With €13.36 billion (39%) dedicated to offshore wind energy, out of its €34 billion global investment plan to 2022, the technology is the cornerstone of the company's strategy.
The Group currently operates three offshore wind farms: West of Duddon Sands, which started operations in the Irish Sea in 2014, and Wikinger, located in the German waters of the Baltic Sea, which has been operational since December 2017.
The company plans to develop 2,000 MW of offshore wind power by the end of 2022 and 3,000 MW by 2024.
"The construction of the Saint-Brieuc project is ready to start. All the agreements are in place, financing is secured and contracts are signed. Our industrial plan will create new plants and highly skilled jobs in the renewable energy sector in France. We hope that the final legal and administrative issues will be settled quickly, after which this major €2.4 billion investment project, contributing to a cleaner energy future, will enter its implementation phase. »
Projects in Europe and elsewhere
East Anglia ONE
This project is already generating energy and is nearing completion. Approximately 82 of the 102 wind turbines are now installed. When completed, the 714 MW of installed capacity will be able to generate enough power for 630,000 homes in the UK, at an investment of £2.5 billion.
East Anglia HUB
Iberdrola announced the development of East Anglia Hub, a large complex comprising the company's three remaining projects in the North Sea: East Anglia One North, East Anglia Two and East Anglia Three. With 3100 MW of installed capacity, this project will require an investment of approximately £6.5 billion. The construction phase, which is expected to last four years, will start in 2022. The main suppliers will be announced within the next ten months.
Baltic Eagle & Wikinger South
In Germany, in April 2018, the company was awarded contracts for the construction of two new wind power plants in the Baltic Sea with a combined capacity of 486 MW: Baltic Eagle and Wikinger South.
Vineyard Wind & Park City
Iberdrola is preparing to start construction of the largest commercial offshore wind farm in the United States: Vineyard Wind. Located off the coast of Massachusetts, it will have a capacity of 800 MW and will be able to meet the energy needs of one million homes. In addition, in December 2019, Iberdrola was awarded the contract to build Park City, an 804 MW site off the coast of Connecticut and south of Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket.
Iberdrola's commitment figures
Power of projects under development
0 GigaWatts
Amount invested in wind energy
0 billions of euros
Ongoing group projects
0 offshore wind farms
Operating forecasts in 2024
2000 MegaWatts
About Iberdrola
Iberdrola is a world leader in energy, the number one producer of wind energy and one of the largest electricity producers in the world in terms of market capitalisation. The group supplies energy to nearly 100 million people in dozens of countries, including Spain, the United Kingdom (ScottishPower), the United States (AVANGRID), Brazil (Neoenergia), Mexico, Germany, Italy and France. With more than 35,000 employees and assets in excess of €122 billion, the company achieved a turnover of €6,438 million and a net profit of more than €3,406 million in 2019.
Iberdrola is leading the transition towards a sustainable energy model, investing in renewable energies, smart electricity grids, large-scale energy storage and digital transformation in order to offer the most technologically advanced products and services to its customers. Thanks to its commitment to clean energy, Iberdrola is one of the companies with the lowest rates of carbon emissions, and is an international benchmark for its contribution to sustainable development and the fight against global warming.
Press Relations & Communication
Jean Christophe Labastugue
Manager
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All Press Releases
July
06
2023
France's second offshore wind farm produces its first green megawatt-hours in Brittany
Ailes Marines, a company 100% owned by the Iberdrola group, today announces the production of the first megawatt-hours from the Saint-Brieuc offshore wind farm. The Iberdrola Group launches production of its first French offshore wind farm, and the 4th in Europe. The commissioning confirms the Group's leading position in this business segment. For the first time in Brittany, electricity is being generated by an offshore wind farm. Since July 05, the electrons generated by the wind turbines have been fed into the national grid by RTE. The wind farm's output will...
May
12
2023
Ailes Marines, a subsidiary of Iberdrola, has installed the first offshore wind turbine in Brittany.
The installation of the first of the 62 wind turbines that will equip the Saint-Brieuc wind farm was carried out on May 9 by Ailes Marines' contractor, Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy. The operation was carried out from the Norwegian company Fred Olsen's jack-up vessel Brave Tern.
Mar
27
2023
Resumption of drilling and installation work on the wind farm in the Bay of Saint-Brieuc.
Ailes Marines announces today the resumption of drilling and installation work on the wind farm in Saint-Brieuc Bay. These operations will mobilize up to thirty vessels for several months. During this period, the rules of navigation and maritime safety are set by prefectural orders.
Tue
03
2023
Pioneering environmental studies recognized by the international scientific community
PLos One and Limnology & Oceanography Methods, two international scientific publications, have validated the protocols for measuring the effects of noise on scallops. These measurements were carried out by independent scientists before and during the installation of the components of the offshore wind farm in the Bay of Saint-Brieuc. The campaign of noise monitoring measurements on scallops represents a world first for marine biology research.
Tue
02
2023
Ailes Marines, a subsidiary of Iberdrola, inaugurates the temporary technical base of the Saint-Brieuc offshore wind farm in the port of Saint-Malo
The temporary technical base of the Saint-Brieuc offshore wind farm was inaugurated on Friday, February 24, 2023 by Daniel Cueff, Vice-President of the Brittany Region and Stéphane Alain Riou, Director of Offshore Wind Iberdrola France in the port of Saint-Malo. The maintenance operations of the wind farm will be carried out temporarily from this base with the vessel EDDA Goëlo.
Dec
20
2022
Signing of a partnership to study the feasibility of a sustainable and integrated aquaculture farm within the Saint-Brieuc offshore wind farm.
Ailes Marines, a company wholly owned by the Iberdrola group, and the Comité Régional de la Conchyliculture Bretagne Nord (CRCBN) signed today an agreement to finance a feasibility study for an Integrated Multi-Trophic Aquaculture (IMTA) farm project.
July
08
2022
The electrical substation of the Saint-Brieuc offshore wind farm has been successfully installed
Saipem has installed the first offshore electrical substation in Brittany. This is the
second substation installed on an offshore wind farm in France.
Jul
05
2022
The first foundation for the Saint-Brieuc offshore wind farm has been successfully installed
Ailes Marines announces today the successful installation of the first jacket foundation of the 62 wind turbines of the Saint-Brieuc offshore wind farm.
July
01
2022
Installation of the first foundation for the Saint-Brieuc offshore wind farm
Press release Installation of the first foundation of the Saint-Brieuc offshore wind farm Pleudaniel / Lézardrieux / Saint-Brieuc / Paris - 01 July 2022 - Ailes Marines, a company wholly owned by the Iberdrola group, today announced the start of the installation of the first jacket foundation of the 62 wind turbines of the offshore wind farm in the Bay of Saint-Brieuc This installation phase will involve 5 vessels in the area. The navigation and maritime safety rules are set by prefectural decrees. During this phase of work, Ailes Marines is continuing to take measures to protect the...
Tue
07
2022
Construction work resumes on the Saint-Brieuc offshore wind farm
Ailes Marines announces today the resumption of construction work on the wind farm in the Bay of Saint-Brieuc. The Van Oord vessel Aeolus, which is responsible for installing the piles and foundations of the wind turbines, will be working in the area without interruption in 2022 and 2023. The wind farm will be delivered at the end of 2023
Nov
01
2021
Fin de la première phase des travaux en mer du parc éolien de Saint-Brieuc
Lézardrieux / Saint-Brieuc / Paris – Le 31 octobre 2021 – Ailes Marines annonce aujourd’hui la fin de la première phase des travaux de construction pour l’année 2021. Les opérations sont totalement achevées, le navire AEOLUS est prêt à quitter la zone. Il est en attente d’une fenêtre météo favorable pour son retour en flottaison, afin de rejoindre son port d’attache. Les travaux de construction en mer du parc reprendront le 1er mars 2022 au plus tard.
August
18
2021
Ailes Marines re-establishes the truth against false information about the Saint-Brieuc offshore wind farm
Following numerous affirmations and untruths relayed in recent weeks by media, Ailes Marines would like to provide once again details and clarifications about the Saint-Brieuc offshore wind farm.
August
13
2021
The 2021 inter-array cable pre-trenching campaign is now completed
Ailes Marines announces the end of the pre-trenching campaign for inter-array cable routes. The Aethra vessel leaves the work area today almost 5 weeks ahead of schedule. Drilling work is continuing on the northern zone of the park.
July
31
2021
AEOLUS vessel resumption to drilling work
Ailes Marines conducted several helicopter overflights of the area and nautical patrols. These
control operations were carried out considering the modeling provided by the Documentation
Center for Research and Experimentation on Accidental Water Pollution (CEDRE).
July
28
2021
Processing a drilling rig incident on the AEOLUS vessel
An incident was reported this morning by the captain of the ship AEOLUS to the CROSS Corsen (Regional Operational Center for Surveillance and Rescue) and the maritime coordination of Ailes Marines (MCC). During the series of drillings on position SB57, a technical problem was observed on one of the ship's three drills. Upon learning of the incident, Van Oord halted all ongoing drilling activities on the AEOLUS and decided to reassemble the affected drill. During the ascent of the tool, a hydraulic fluid of the "PANOLIN HLP SYNTH 46" type was observed on the deck of the AEOLUS vessel and in the marine environment.
July
15
2021
Resumption of drilling work on the Saint-Brieuc offshore wind farm
Lézardrieux / Saint-Brieuc / Paris – July 15, 2021 – Ailes Marines announces the return of the AEOLUS to the area from July 16, 2021, following the agreement of the maritime authorities. The jack-up vessel of the Van Oord company is responsible for drilling and installing the foundation piles for the offshore wind farm. After a complete review of the vessel's tools and equipment carried out by Van Oord in the Netherlands, all of the work control and monitoring protocols have been reassessed. Ailes Marines also announces the signing of an agreement with CEDRE.
June
16
2021
Ailes Marines provides details on the incident of 14 June 2021
The jack up vessel AEOLUS, operated by the company Van Oord, in charge of drilling operations and foundation piles installation for the offshore wind farm, left the Bay of Saint-Brieuc today for its harbour in the Netherlands (Vlissingen), a decision that was approved by the authorities. In parallel, Ailes Marines confirmeds the continuation of the pre-trenching activities currently underway on the site, carried out by the company Prysmian with the vessel AETHRA.
June
15
2021
Immobilisation of the vessel AEOLUS for tooling verification
The jack up vessel AEOLUS, in charge of drilling operation and foundation piles installation for Saint-Brieuc offshore wind farm has currently halted operations on site.
This decision was taken following a technical problem encountered during the second cycle of drilling. This technical problem resulted in the leakage of Panolin HLP SYNTH hydraulic fluid used in the drill template guidance systems.
Apr
28
2021
Renforcement des suivis environnementaux pendant les travaux de forage
Durant la première phase des travaux de forage qui se déroule de mai à octobre 2021 sur la zone nord du périmètre du parc de Saint-Brieuc, Ailes Marines instaure des mesures renforcées de suivis en temps réel sur le bruit et la turbidité (état trouble de l’eau). Des mesures de contrôle renforcées de la turbidité – Des mesures de suivis renforcées de bruit – De nouvelles mesures complémentaires.
Apr
21
2021
Démarrage de la construction du parc éolien en mer de Saint-Brieuc
Ailes Marine confirme aujourd’hui le démarrage de la construction du parc éolien en mer de Saint-Brieuc. Les travaux s’étaleront sur 3 années. En 2021, les opérations de construction se déroulent de mai à octobre sur cinq zones situées uniquement sur la partie nord du parc.
Mar
26
2021
Saint-Brieuc offshore wind turbine towers to be fitted in Brest
Today, Ailes Marines announced that the 62 wind turbine towers for its Saint-Brieuc offshore wind farm will be assembled in the port of Brest’s new polder. This industrial plan will see the creation of new production capacity and at least 35 new jobs during the project’s construction period.
Feb
26
2021
Parc éolien en mer de Saint-Brieuc : 1500 emplois mobilisés en France
Ailes Marines annonce aujourd’hui que le projet éolien en mer de Saint-Brieuc mobilisera 1500 emplois en France, dont environ 500 en Bretagne. Ailes Marines a sélectionné pour leur savoir-faire reconnu des grands groupes internationaux, mais également des TPE-PME bretonnes spécialisées. Ainsi, le projet participe directement au développement de la filière industrielle de l’éolien en mer, en France et en Bretagne.
Jan
20
2021
Sondage IFOP – 71% des habitants des Côtes d’Armor favorables au projet de parc éolien en mer de Saint-Brieuc
Ailes Marines a fait réaliser par l’IFOP, institut de sondages et d’études de marchés, une étude sur la tendance et la perception de l’opinion publique à propos du projet de parc éolien en mer de Saint-Brieuc. Cette étude qui s’est déroulée au mois de décembre 2020, a porté sur un échantillon représentatif de la population vivant dans les départements bretons du Finistère, d’Ille-et-Vilaine, du Morbihan, des Côtes-d’Armor, ainsi qu’en Loire-Atlantique. Les résultats attestent de l’adhésion des populations costarmoricaines, bretonnes et de Loire-Atlantique au projet de parc éolien en mer de...
Dec
18
2020
Ailes Marines opte pour la méthode du forage pour installer les pieux des fondations, technique de moindre impact sur l’environnement.
Pour réduire l’impact environnemental, Ailes Marines a décidé d’utiliser la technique du forage pour installer les pieux des fondations. Cette décision a été prise après des années d’études d’ingénierie et suite à la réalisation de tests de forage à terre et en mer pour maximiser la sécurité et la protection de l’environnement. Cette décision concerne l’ensemble des emplacements des 62 fondations des éoliennes et celui de la sous-station électrique.
Dec
10
2020
Ailes Marines annonce la présentation des résultats des études environnementales et des campagnes de tests d’outillages aux acteurs du projet éolien de Saint-Brieuc.
Les impacts sonores du forage sont compatibles avec le cycle de vie normal des espèces halieutiques étudiées. Ailes Marines a décidé d’abandonner la technique de battage et de privilégier la méthode du forage pour l’installation des pieux. Les turbidités générées pendant les travaux auront une incidence faible sur le milieu. L’Ifremer valide l’état de référence des études de la ressource halieutique réalisé par Ailes Marines et RTE.
Dec
02
2020
Ailes Marines ensouillera l’intégralité des câbles inter-éoliennes du parc de Saint-Brieuc
Suite aux tests d’outillage réalisés à l’été 2020 et malgré les conditions très complexes des fonds marins du site, Ailes Marines confirme son objectif d’ensouiller à 100% l’ensemble des câbles inter-éoliennes du parc de Saint-Brieuc. L’ensouillage complet des câbles représenterait une avancée majeure pour la sécurité de la navigation et un pas de plus vers un maintien des activités de pêche au sein du parc.
Nov
20
2020
Ailes Marines apporte des précisions et clarifications sur le projet de parc éolien en mer de Saint-Brieuc
Ailes Marines tient à apporter des précisions et des clarifications sur de nombreuses affirmations et contre-vérités qui sont exprimées régulièrement à propos du parc éolien en mer de Saint-Brieuc. Ailes Marines rappelle que : ● La zone du parc éolien La zone de 180 km2 soumise à appel d’offres en 2011 pour l’implantation d’un parc éolien en mer au large de la Baie de Saint-Brieuc a été définie par l’Etat, à l’issue d’un processus de concertation avec l’ensemble des acteurs du territoires mené en 2010, sous l’égide de la Conférence Régionale Mer et Littoral, à laquelle ont participé les...
Oct
02
2020
Navantia-Windar starts production of foundation elements for the Saint-Brieuc offshore wind farm at the Brest Polder
One year after the Navantia-Windar consortium was selected to manufacture the foundations of the wind turbines for the Saint-Brieuc offshore wind farm, the two companies are now established in the Brest polder and are actively collaborating with Breton companies. Seventeen local companies have already worked on the Navantia-Windar site located at the new EMR terminal in Brest. Two new contracts were signed today and the consortium is currently negotiating with 20 other companies.
Sep
16
2020
Ailes Marines has selected GE Grid Solutions to supply and install the main electrical equipment for the substation of the offshore wind farm in the Bay of Saint-Brieuc.
Ailes Marines, a company wholly owned by Iberdrola, in charge of the construction, installation and operation of the offshore wind farm in the Bay of Saint-Brieuc, today announced the selection of GE Grid Solutions, a division of GE Renewable Energy, to supply the main electrical equipment for the substation of the Saint-Brieuc offshore wind farm.
Sep
07
2020
Ailes Marines has selected the French companies Eiffage Métal and Engie Solutions for the manufacturing of the electrical substation of the offshore wind farm in the Bay of Saint-Brieuc.
Ailes Marines, a company wholly owned by Iberdrola, in charge of the construction, installation and operation of the offshore wind farm in the Bay of Saint-Brieuc, today announced the award of the contract for the construction of the wind farm's electrical substation to the two French companies Eiffage Métal and ENGIE Solutions.
July
22
2020
Ailes Marines has selected Saipem for the transport and installation of the "jacket" type foundations for the Saint-Brieuc offshore wind farm substation.
Ailes Marines, a company of the Iberdrola Group in charge of the development, construction, installation and operation of the offshore wind farm in the Bay of Saint-Brieuc, selected Saipem to transport and install the "jacket" type foundations and the upper part of the offshore substation.
June
18
2020
Iberdrola creates 1,100 jobs in France thanks to the wind farm project
Iberdrola confirms the launch of its €4 billion investment in France. The contract for the supply of the foundations, totalling €350 million, was signed this morning by the President of Iberdrola, Ignacio Galán. The components of the foundations will be assembled on Brest polder's port.
May
29
2020
Ailes Marines and Siemens Gamesa sign the contract for the supply of wind turbines for the Saint-Brieuc offshore wind farm
Ailes Marines, Iberdrola's subsidiary in charge of the development, construction, installation and operation of the offshore wind farm in the Bay of Saint-Brieuc, today announced the signature with Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy of the contract to supply the 62 wind turbines for the Saint-Brieuc offshore wind farm.
May
27
2020
Ailes Marines selects Prysmian as supplier of submarine cables for the wind farm
Ailes Marines, in charge of the development, construction, installation and operation of the Saint-Brieuc Bay offshore wind farm, has just signed an 80 million euro contract with the Prysmian Group, a world leader in the power and telecommunication cable systems industry, to supply the inter-wind turbine cables for the Saint-Brieuc wind farm.
May
06
2020
Ailes Marines has selected Van Oord to install the foundations of the wind farm.
Ailes Marines, in charge of the construction, installation and operation of the Saint-Brieuc Bay wind farm, has selected the Dutch company Van Oord to transport and install the 62 jacket foundations (lattice steel structures) as well as the piles for the foundations of the electrical substation.
Sep
16
2019
Ailes Marines has selected Navantia to build the foundations of the wind farm.
Ailes Marines, in charge of the development, construction, installation and operation of the offshore wind farm in the Bay of Saint-Brieuc, has selected the Spanish company Navantia for the manufacture of the 62 foundations of the offshore wind turbines that will equip the wind farm.