Saint-Brieuc offshore wind farm : Iberdrola launches France’s second offshore wind project

Iberdrola has officially announced the full operational status of the Saint-Brieuc offshore wind farm, marking it as the second of its kind in France and the first in the Brittany region. As of May 28, 2024, this significant development in the renewable energy sector sees all turbines active, contributing a substantial 496 MW (megawatts) to the national electricity grid managed by RTE.

Strategic Importance and Capacity of Saint-Brieuc offshore wind farm

Located off the coast of Brittany, the Saint-Brieuc offshore wind project consists of 62 wind turbines, each boasting an 8 MW capacity — the most powerful installed in France to date. Annually, the French offshore wind farm is set to produce approximately 1,820 GWh (gigawatt-hours), which equates to about 9% of Brittany’s total electricity consumption. This output is sufficient to cover the annual electricity needs of 835,000 residents, including heating.

Investment and Collaboration

The Saint-Brieuc offshore wind farm represents a €2.4 billion investment, entirely financed by Iberdrola. Development began in April 2012 and since then, the initiative has mobilized over 1700 jobs in France, including more than 500 in Brittany alone. Saint-Brieuc not only strengthens Iberdrola’s position as a global leader in offshore wind but also acts as a major catalyst for local economic growth, involving numerous regional companies in its development.

Iberdrola announces the full commissioning of the Saint-Brieuc offshore wind farm, marking a significant advancement in France’s renewable energy sector. Photo courtesy of Iberdrola, S.A.

Local Production and Economic Impact

Significantly, the components of the wind turbines’ jacket foundations were partly constructed and assembled at the Brest polder by Navantia Windar, with the electrical equipment for the turbines’ masts assembled by Haizea Breizh, also at Brest. The turbines themselves were manufactured at the new industrial site of Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy, located in the port of Le Havre, underscoring a strong commitment to local manufacturing and skills development.

Global Expansion and Future Projects

Saint-Brieuc is the fourth offshore wind farm developed, built, and operated by Iberdrola, following successful projects in the Irish Sea, Baltic Sea, and North Sea. Additionally, Iberdrola has initiated construction on other significant projects such as Baltic Eagle in Germany, East Anglia 3 in the United Kingdom, and Vineyard Wind 1 in the United States.

Comments from Iberdrola Executives on the Saint-Brieuc offshore wind farm

Emmanuel Rollin, Director France of Iberdrola, highlighted the strategic significance of the Saint-Brieuc offshore wind farm : “We are particularly proud today to announce the full commissioning of the Saint-Brieuc offshore wind farm. This major industrial project supports the energy transition and employment in France.”

Stéphane-Alain Riou, Director of Offshore Wind Energy at Iberdrola France, added, “The challenge for us was to create the foundations of a sustainable industrial sector for French offshore wind power. We have involved local companies in the project, supporting them in training to develop their skills and expertise in this fast-growing segment.”

With the Saint-Brieuc offshore wind farm now fully operational, Iberdrola continues to drive forward the global transition to renewable energy, demonstrating the feasibility and sustainability of large-scale offshore wind projects. This project not only solidifies Iberdrola’s leadership in the green energy sector but also supports France’s broader environmental and energy goals.