Iberdrola strengthens leadership with €2.4bn Saint-Brieuc offshore wind farm in France

Iberdrola has inaugurated the Saint-Brieuc offshore wind farm, a landmark project that solidifies its leadership in the offshore wind sector. The €2.4 billion wind farm is the second largest in France, with a capacity of 496 megawatts (MW) and an annual production of 2,000 gigawatt hours (GWh), enough to power nearly one million people with emission-free, clean energy. The project marks a major step in France’s renewable energy expansion, helping the country meet its ambitious climate targets.

Saint-Brieuc offshore wind farm: A decade in the making

The Saint-Brieuc offshore wind farm is located 16.3 kilometres off the coast of Brittany, in the Bay of Saint-Brieuc, an area selected for its ideal wind conditions. Iberdrola initiated development of the project in 2012, and the wind farm entered full operation in 2024, following three years of intensive construction. This pioneering project consists of 62 turbines, each with a capacity of 8 MW, making them the most powerful wind turbines installed in France to date. The wind farm spans an area of 75 square kilometres and is set to significantly reduce the country’s reliance on fossil fuels.

This project represents a cornerstone in France’s offshore wind energy development. Although offshore wind remains a relatively new sector in the country, the Saint-Brieuc offshore wind farm is expected to spur further investments and projects in this emerging industry. The site alone is expected to cut carbon emissions by over 800,000 tonnes annually, contributing to France’s pledge to decarbonise its energy grid.

Economic and environmental impact

Iberdrola’s commitment to the project extends beyond energy production. During its construction, the Saint-Brieuc offshore wind farm supported over 1,700 jobs, including 500 positions within the local economy of Brittany. Major industry players such as Siemens-Gamesa, Navantia Windar, Prysmian, and Van Oord were involved in various stages of the project, from turbine manufacturing to installation and cabling. Overall, more than 150 companies from across Europe participated in the venture, demonstrating its wide-reaching economic impact.

The project also helped advance local industry. For instance, Siemens-Gamesa produced the wind turbines at its newly established facility in Le Havre, while foundations were manufactured and assembled by Navantia Windar at the Port of Brest. These local partnerships not only contributed to the success of the Saint-Brieuc offshore wind farm but also established France as a competitive player in the global offshore wind supply chain.

Overcoming engineering challenges

The construction of the Saint-Brieuc offshore wind farm posed unique challenges. The Bay of Saint-Brieuc is known for its harsh weather conditions and rocky seabed composed of hard basalt rock. To secure the turbine foundations to the seabed, Iberdrola introduced innovative techniques, including the development of custom-designed equipment to anchor the turbines in these difficult conditions. Despite these challenges, the project was completed on schedule, with Iberdrola’s team ensuring compliance with environmental regulations and minimising disruptions to the surrounding marine ecosystem.

A key project in Iberdrola’s global offshore wind portfolio

Saint-Brieuc is now Iberdrola’s fourth fully operational offshore wind farm, joining West of Duddon Sands in the Irish Sea, Wikinger in the Baltic Sea, and East Anglia One in the North Sea. These projects are part of the company’s broader strategy to expand its presence in the global offshore wind market, where it is a recognised leader. Iberdrola’s total investment in operational and under-construction offshore wind projects now exceeds €15 billion.

Iberdrola has also secured future projects, such as East Anglia Two in the United Kingdom and New England Wind 1 in the United States, which will further extend its offshore wind capacity. By the time all of its current projects are completed, the company’s total investment in offshore wind will surpass €25 billion, cementing its position as one of the largest offshore wind developers in the world.

The future of renewable energy in France

Besides the Saint-Brieuc offshore wind farm, Iberdrola operates 11 onshore wind projects in France and has an extensive pipeline of wind and solar photovoltaic (PV) projects in various stages of development. The company’s growing presence in France aligns with the country’s goal to significantly increase its renewable energy capacity. With offices in cities like Paris, Lyon, and Nantes, and dedicated operations and maintenance facilities, Iberdrola is well-positioned to continue leading the renewable energy transition in France.