Overview
France's Ministry of the Ecological Transition announced that a call for tenders will be issued on Friday, 13 June 2026, for offshore wind projects totaling 10 GW. The tender is divided equally between 5 GW of fixed‑bottom wind farms and 5 GW of floating wind farms, with most sites planned along the western coast of France.
Capacity Targets
The projects are intended to expand France’s offshore wind installed capacity from less than 2 GW today to 15 GW by 2035, aligning with the nation’s renewable‑energy objectives.
European Context
Industry group WindEurope reported that total offshore wind capacity across Europe stood at just under 40 GW at the end of 2025.
Technology Details
Fixed‑bottom farms employ turbines mounted on seabed‑anchored foundations, representing the more established and generally cheaper technology. Floating farms place turbines on floating platforms tethered to the seabed, enabling deployment in deeper waters but incurring higher costs due to more complex platforms, mooring systems, and installation work.
Background
The French government had initially pledged to launch this offshore wind tender in 2024; the call is being released two years later.
Market Implications
The tender follows global challenges for offshore wind, including rising costs and political opposition in some countries, such as the United States under the Trump administration.