France's First Floating Wind Farm

Port-Saint-Louis-du-Rhône / 12 June 2025

Off the coast of Port-Saint-Louis-du-Rhône, where the Mediterranean’s azure waves meet Provence’s golden shores, the Provence Grand Large floating wind farm rises as France’s first floating offshore wind project and the first of its kind in the Mediterranean Sea. Owned by Parc Éolien Offshore de Provence Grand Large, a joint venture of EDF Renouvelables and Enbridge Eolien France 2, this groundbreaking initiative is more than an achievement of engineering—it’s a story of vision, collaboration, and people.

Julia: Leading with vision and heart

For Julia, the Senior Project Manager of Provence Grand Large, seeing the turbines spinning in the Mediterranean breeze is a deeply personal moment. “When I see these turbines turning, I don’t just see technology; I see the effort of hundreds of people who believed in this vision,” she says. “This project is about advancing the energy transition and building a sustainable future.”

Her leadership approach had to adapt to the project’s unique challenges. With floating wind technology still in its early stages and the Mediterranean region lacking offshore wind infrastructure, Julia emphasized the importance of collaboration and adaptability. “We couldn’t rely on standard procedures or processes,” she explains. “This project demanded innovation at every level. The team had to think outside the box, and it’s been inspiring to see everyone rise to the occasion.”

Despite these complexities, Julia has developed a unique connection to the project's intimate scale. "It feels like a close-knit family," she reflects. "We have fewer turbines, and a smaller team compared to other offshore wind projects, so you really get to know everyone. That sense of closeness has made this project much more meaningful to me."

Julia, the Senior Project Manager of Provence Grand Large wind farm

Matthieu Béchard site manager responsible for Provence Grand Large wind farm’s long-term operation.

Matthieu: A journey from installation to maintenance

Matthieu Béchard’s path on this project has been a unique journey, transitioning from onshore and offshore installation to becoming the site manager responsible for the wind farm’s long-term operation. "In offshore wind, every day presents new challenges—from weather and sea conditions to ongoing maintenance demands," he explains. "What sets this project apart is how quickly we adapted, working seamlessly with onshore teams, construction crews, and the service network."

Supported by a team of specialists, Matthieu manages all administrative tasks, including reporting, inventory, and daily communication with the client. "Proactive maintenance is key—addressing issues before they escalate and leveraging the latest technology to predict problems," he says. Collaboration has been essential throughout. “We’ve learned from each phase of the project and constantly strive to improve,” Matthieu concludes.

Tangible Impact: Homes powered; carbon saved

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.

“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.”

Provence Grand Large wind farm installation and transport

A key step toward a sustainable energy future

Globally, according to the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA: Floating Offshore Wind Outlook), floating wind energy is still in its infancy, with approximately 270 MW installed by 2023. Yet, its potential is immense, with external projections indicating significant growth over the next decade, reaching 15-20% of the total offshore wind market by 2040. Provence Grand Large stands as a pivotal step in this transition, showcasing France’s determination to lead in sustainable energy innovation. Each lesson learned from this project fuels the ambition for a greener future, helping to bridge the gap toward carbon neutrality by 2050.

As the Mediterranean winds breathe life into these turbines, their spinning blades represent not only a success of engineering, but a symbol of collective will. Julia encapsulates this spirit best: “This isn’t just about building turbines. It’s about creating a cleaner future, advancing the energy transition, and showing what’s possible when people come together with a shared purpose.”

United by the Sea

Author

Julia Dankert

Matthieu Béchard