The Îles d’Yeu and Noirmoutier offshore wind farm in France has entered the construction stage thanks to a final investment decision made by the Eoliennes en Mer des îles d’Yeu et de Noirmoutier (EMYN) consortium, which is made up of Ocean Winds, Sumitomo Corporation, Banque des Territoires, and Vendée Energie.
The first offshore operations will take place this summer. Later, the construction work will begin next spring, installing the monopile foundations, the offshore substation, and the first subsea cables. The offshore wind farm is anticipated to be put into operation in the second half of 2025. As a result, the wind turbines will be installed in the same year.
Around EUR 2.5 billion is invested in the 496 MW Îles d’Yeu and Noirmoutier project. Thus, the consortium states the project entails robust international public and private financing. It is led by the Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC) and a syndicate of 16 banks: 6 French banks, 4 Japanese banks, 2 British banks, 2 Spanish banks, 1 German bank, and 1 Dutch bank.
The financing is provided through shareholders-backed financing and non-recourse debt. This is with the assistance of Société Générale, who served as the project’s financial advisor.
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Îles d’Yeu and Noirmoutier offshore wind farm location
The offshore wind farm will be situated off the coast of Vendée. This is around 11.6 kilometers from the island of Yeu and 16.5 kilometers from Noirmoutier. It will have 62 Siemens Gamesa 8 MW wind turbines. The OEM will thus make these turbines at its plant in Le Havre.
The monopiles will be made by the Chinese company Dajin Heavy Industry. Eiffage will deliver the 62 transition pieces. Additionally, Sif will provide the primary steel, while Smulders will produce the secondary steel.
Chantiers de l’Atlantique of Saint-Nazaire will construct the Îles d’Yeu and Noirmoutier offshore substation. Navantia of Spain will also provide the substation’s piles and jacket foundation. French Transmission System Operator is responsible for connecting the wind farm’s substation to the grid on land.
Furthermore, Louis Dreyfus TravOcean is in charge of installing the inter-array cables. DEME will all transport and install the foundations, wind turbines, and substations.
