First Floating Wind in French Waters
The Provence Grand Large wind farm features three Siemens Gamesa 8 MW turbines mounted on tension-leg platforms, developed by SBM Offshore and IFP Energies Nouvelles. With a total capacity of 25 MW, the wind farm is expected to generate enough power to supply approximately 45,000 homes annually. This will reduce CO₂ emissions by 20,000 tons each year, compared to traditional fossil power generation. This environmental benefit is equivalent to planting 10,000 hectares of forest—about the size of Marseille.
These figures underline the transformative potential of floating wind technology to drive decarbonization and provide clean energy solutions.
Unlike traditional fixed-bottom turbines, floating wind farms can be deployed in deeper waters where wind speeds are higher and more consistent. These turbines are anchored to the seabed using tension-leg mooring systems that optimize efficiency while minimizing seabed disruption.
“The floating wind industry is still in its early stages, and we’re learning every step of the way,” explains Malte Lembrecht, Team Lead Floating Wind, Offshore Portfolio Management. “Our focus is on getting the technology to commercial scale. The biggest hurdle is reducing costs and proving that these systems work reliably and efficiently on a larger scale."
Consequently, the most important technological advancements are focused on cost reductions. “Since the Wind Turbine Generator (WTG) is a smaller contributor to the total cost compared to bottom-fixed systems, the real challenges lie in improving floater design and manufacturing, as well as managing installation and service,” says Malte.
Malte stresses that innovation in this area doesn’t always mean reinventing the wheel. "We’re not starting from scratch. By adapting proven bottom-fixed technologies and adjusting them for floating wind, we can accelerate development and reduce risk," he says. “This approach enables us to strike a balance between rapid deployment and the continuous research and development needed to make floating wind a viable, large-scale solution.”
Siemens Gamesa | https://www.siemensgamesa.com/global/en
