Three French OWFs Greenlighted; Courseulles-Sur-Mer Could Face Appeal

The first three offshore wind projects off the French coast, to be developed by EDF and Enbridge off Saint-Nazaire, Fécamp and Courseulles-sur-mer, have received prefectural orders “authorizing the installation and operation” of wind farms.

However, the 450MW project off Courseulles-sur-mer could face an appeal from several associations preparing a legal action opposing the project construction, according to the national media.

Opponents have until 10 October to file their complaints to the Administrative Court of Appeal in Nantes.

Appeals against the 480MW Saint-Nazaire project must be filed no later than 25 July, however, Prosimar, local association and member of the Pulse network opposing the offshore wind project, said it will not meet the deadline.

For the 498MW Fécamp project, complaints can be submitted until 22 August, but for this project a legal action is only being considered, according to the local association of the Pulse network.

In 2012, EDF, together with Alstom, won the tender to develop the three offshore wind farms.

In May this year, Canadian energy company Enbridge acquired a 50% interest in Éolien Maritime France SAS (EMF), a French company developing the three projects, also comprising EDF and wpd.