The first jacket foundation has been installed at the 496MW Dieppe Le Tréport offshore wind farm, a significant milestone for Ocean Winds and a notable step forward for France’s renewable energy ambitions. Located 17km off the coast of Dieppe and 15.5km from Le Tréport, this wind farm will comprise 62 turbines, generating enough renewable electricity to power nearly 850,000 people.
The installation of the first jacket foundation underscores Ocean Winds’ growing footprint in France’s offshore wind sector. The jackets, fabricated in Spain, were transported from Cherbourg’s port to the offshore site by Innovation, an installation vessel operated by Deme. These steel structures, measuring between 48 and 55 metres high, are anchored into pre-installed steel piles with diameters of 2.5 metres and lengths of up to 63 metres.
Ocean Winds, a joint venture between EDP Renewables and Engie, has been active in France’s offshore wind market for over a decade. The company’s portfolio spans various technologies, from monopiles to jackets for bottom-fixed and floating turbines. The Dieppe Le Tréport project is the latest addition to this portfolio, following recent achievements such as the installation of more than half the turbines at the Yeu-Noirmoutier project and the offshore installation of three floating turbines at the Eoliennes Flottantes du Golfe du Lion project.
Marc Hirt, Ocean Winds country manager for France, expressed pride in the company’s commitment to France’s energy transition. “Ocean Winds has been firmly committed to the French offshore wind market for more than a decade, with projects across all of France’s maritime façades and using every technology,” Hirt said. He added that the Dieppe Le Tréport project is “another major step to our French industrial footprint,” highlighting the company’s contribution to the national ambition for energy transition.
Frédéric Flaus, project director for Dieppe Le Tréport, echoed Hirt’s sentiments, stating that the successful installation of the first foundation marks “the start of a new chapter in the construction of the Dieppe Le Tréport wind farm.” He attributed this achievement to close collaboration between Ocean Winds’ teams and their industrial partners, drawing on years of expertise and preparation.
The installation of the first jacket foundation at Dieppe Le Tréport is not just a milestone for Ocean Winds but also a testament to the growing maturity of France’s offshore wind sector. As the country aims to increase its renewable energy capacity, projects like Dieppe Le Tréport will play a crucial role in shaping the sector’s development. The successful installation of the first foundation sets a positive precedent for the remaining 61 foundations, which will be installed in successive campaigns through to 2026.
Moreover, the project’s progress coincides with other significant developments in France’s offshore wind sector, including the Yeu-Noirmoutier project’s turbine installations and the Eoliennes Flottantes du Golfe du Lion project’s floating turbines. These projects, along with Dieppe Le Tréport, demonstrate the diverse range of technologies and approaches being employed to harness France’s offshore wind potential.
As the sector continues to evolve, the lessons learned from these projects will be invaluable in driving innovation, improving efficiency, and reducing costs. The Dieppe Le Tréport project, in particular, offers a unique opportunity to showcase the viability of jacket foundations in France’s offshore wind landscape. The successful installation of the first jacket foundation is a promising sign that this technology can play a significant role in the country’s renewable energy future.
In the broader context, the Dieppe Le Tréport project’s progress is a reminder of the critical role that offshore wind will play in Europe’s energy transition. As countries across the continent strive to meet their renewable energy targets, projects like Dieppe Le Tréport serve as a beacon of progress and a testament to the sector’s potential. The lessons learned from this project will not only shape the development of France’s offshore wind sector but also contribute to the broader European effort to build a sustainable energy future.