Ocean Winds, a joint venture between EDP Renewables and ENGIE, has completed the installation of the first floating wind turbine for its Éoliennes Flottantes du Golfe du Lion (EFGL) project off the French Mediterranean coast. The turbine, assembled at Port-La Nouvelle in Occitanie, was transported 16 kilometers offshore and set in place as part of a pilot wind farm.
The EFGL project is one of three offshore wind farms Ocean Winds is developing in France. It will consist of three 10-megawatt turbines on floating foundations anchored to the seabed with nine mooring lines. The full installation is expected to be finished by the end of August and will provide enough electricity to supply around 50,000 residents in the Occitanie region.
Marc Hirt, Country Manager for Ocean Winds in France, stated: “This first installation at sea is a clear demonstration of Ocean Winds’ long-standing commitment to floating offshore wind, a field we have inherited from our sponsors and have been advancing for over a decade. EFGL represents a significant step forward for floating wind in the Occitanie region, and for the future of offshore wind in France.”
Jérémy de Barbarin, EFGL Project Director, said: “This successful operation highlights the precision, expertise, and strong collaboration required for floating wind projects. From assembly to tow-out and installation, every phase relies on advanced coordination between our teams, suppliers, maritime operators, and local partners. With the first turbine now in place, we are looking forward to completing the next two turbines successfully and deliver clean energy from the Mediterranean.”
Ocean Winds has established itself as an international leader in floating wind technology through projects such as WindFloat Atlantic and developments underway in Scotland and Korea. The company is also progressing with another major initiative—the 250 MW Eoliennes Flottantes d’Occitanie (EFLO) project—currently at an early development stage in the Mediterranean.
