France has secured European Commission approval for an €11 billion initiative to develop floating offshore wind farms, a move that could reshape Europe’s renewable energy landscape. Backed by the EU’s Clean Industrial Deal State Aid Framework (CISAF), this long-term investment aims to accelerate floating wind technology deployment, reduce fossil fuel dependence, and power hundreds of thousands of homes with sustainable electricity.
Teresa Ribera, Executive Vice-President for Clean, Just and Competitive Transition, highlighted the scheme’s significance: “With this €11bn scheme, France will be able to deploy offshore wind capacities faster, in line with the Clean Industrial Deal. It will also help France reduce its dependence on fossil fuel imports and enhance its renewable energy share, while ensuring that any potential competition distortions are kept to a minimum.”
The French scheme will fund three floating offshore wind farms, with one planned off Southern Brittany and two in the Mediterranean Sea. Each farm is expected to have a capacity of 500 megawatts, generating 2.2 terawatt-hours of electricity annually—enough to power 450,000 households. This represents a substantial addition to France’s renewable energy portfolio and a crucial step toward meeting EU-wide targets for clean energy.
The funding will be awarded through a competitive bidding process, with one operator selected per offshore zone. Bidders must demonstrate supply chain resilience, a strategic move to reduce reliance on Chinese imports for wind turbine components. Financial support will take the form of a two-way contract for difference (CfD), stabilizing revenue for renewable energy producers while protecting public funds.
The approval under CISAF underscores the EU’s commitment to climate-neutral industrial development. The framework allows EU countries to offer targeted aid in several clean technology areas, including renewable energy acceleration, temporary electricity price relief, industrial decarbonization, and clean technology manufacturing capacity.
Unlike fixed-bottom turbines, floating offshore wind farms can be deployed in deeper waters, tapping into stronger and more consistent wind resources far from shore. This opens vast new areas for renewable energy production, particularly relevant for countries with deep coastal waters like France, Norway, and Spain. Floating turbines also reduce visual and environmental impacts near shorelines and provide flexibility in site selection, making them ideal for balancing energy production with ecological and social considerations.
As technology costs fall and supply chains mature, floating offshore wind farms could become a cornerstone of Europe’s future energy mix, helping the continent achieve energy independence while drastically cutting carbon emissions. The Commission’s approval of France’s €11bn investment marks a turning point for offshore wind in Europe, reinforcing the continent’s position as a global leader in clean tech innovation. This bold move illustrates how coordinated policy, competitive markets, and strategic investment can accelerate the transition to a greener, more resilient energy future.