Iberdrola has announced that EOLE-RES, specialists in the design, development, construction and operation of renewable energy projects, has joined its consortium preparing to bid for two offshore windfarm sites in France, adding to this strong line-up of experienced organisations.
Iberdrola initially announced that it will be working with AREVA, who will supply the turbines for the projects, in its bid for up to 1.25GW of offshore wind capacity as part of the French government’s plans to reach a 6 GW target by 2020. Technip, a world leader in project management, engineering and construction for the energy industry, joined as the construction and engineering partner in August. EOLE-RES, one of the leading wind energy developers in France, will bring significant additional development, technical and engineering knowledge and expertise to the consortium supported by its sister company RES Offshore, which has already helped deliver over 350 MW of consented offshore capacity in the UK and is currently supporting over 5000MW in development in Europe and the United States.
The consortium has announced that it will bid for the Saint-Brieuc zone in northern Brittany, which has the potential for up to 500 MW and the Saint-Nazaire zone, which is off the Atlantic Coast, with up to 750MW of power. Tender submissions will be made to the French Government in January 2012, with successful bidders selected by April 2012.
Keith Anderson, Chief Executive of ScottishPower Renewables and also head of Iberdrola’s Glasgow-based Global Offshore Division, said: “EOLE-RES is a very strong addition to the consortium, with a wealth of experience in delivering onshore wind projects in France as well as working on offshore projects.
“Together with AREVA and Technip we have established a consortium with a wealth of experience in delivering successful renewable energy projects across Europe and are confident that we can submit a strong bid. All partners will work closely together on the bids and a project team has been established in France. The consortium aims to create significant industrial opportunities if it is successful in the tender process and provide French industrial companies with additional opportunities to access the global offshore arena.
Jean-Marc Armitano, CEO of EOLE-RES said: “This partnership combines the valuable experience and unrivaled expertise of the two groups in terms of design and construction of both onshore and offshore wind farms. This consortium is undoubtedly one of the most solid and experienced, with a valuable technical, industrial and financial background that will allow the development of high-quality offshore projects.”
Iberdrola is the largest wind energy company in the world and has a pipeline of around 10,000 MW in offshore wind projects across Europe, primarily in the UK.
EOLE-RES is one of the leading wind energy developers in France and specialises in the development, construction and operation of renewable energy projects. To date it has delivered over 400 MW of onshore wind projects in France and has been developing offshore wind energy projects for over a decade.
Notes to Editors
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The French Government has a target to introduce 6000 MW of offshore wind capacity by 2020. The 1st phase (3000MW) of the process was launched in June 2011, and will see five offshore wind zones developed along the French coast