Saint Brieuc

Saint-Brieuc Offshore Wind Farm Profile

Location and Significance

The Saint-Brieuc offshore wind farm is located approximately 16.3 kilometers off the coast of Brittany, France, specifically in the Saint-Brieuc Bay. It is the second fully operational offshore wind farm in France and the first in the Brittany region.

Capacity and Production

• The wind farm has a total installed capacity of 496 megawatts (MW), generated by 62 wind turbines each with a capacity of 8 MW. These turbines are the most powerful ever installed on a wind farm in France.
• The annual production is estimated at 1,820 gigawatt hours (GWh), which is sufficient to power approximately 835,000 people, representing about 9% of the total electricity consumption of Brittany.

Turbines and Technology

• The wind turbines, standing at 209 meters tall, were manufactured by Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy at their new industrial site in the port of Le Havre. These turbines are equipped with the latest direct-drive technology and feature blades that are almost 82 meters long, offering an 18% larger area than previous models, which improves annual energy production by 20%.

Project Timeline and Investment

• Development of the Saint-Brieuc wind farm began in April 2012.
• The construction phase started in 2021, with the first turbine installed in May 2023 and the installation of the jacket foundations completed in October 2023.
• The wind farm was fully commissioned and began feeding into the national electricity grid in May 2024.
• The total investment in the project amounts to €2.4 billion, entirely financed by Iberdrola.

Economic and Employment Impact

• The construction and development of the wind farm supported more than 1,700 jobs in France, with over 500 jobs located in Brittany. This includes work by various companies such as Navantia Windar, Haizea Breizh, Prysmian, and Van Oord.
• The project has been a significant driver of local economic development, involving more than 150 European companies and supporting the training and skill development of local companies in the offshore wind sector.

Infrastructure and Layout

• The wind farm covers an area of 75 km² and is arranged in 7 rows perpendicular to the prevailing winds to optimize energy production.
• The turbines are spaced 1,000 meters apart, and the rows are 1,400 meters apart to allow for ship passage, particularly for fishing activities.

Environmental and Energy Transition Impact

• The Saint-Brieuc wind farm is a key project in the transition to clean energy, contributing significantly to France's energy transition goals.
• It marks a significant milestone for Brittany, helping the region to become a positive energy municipality by producing more electricity than it consumes.

Project Management and Stakeholders

• The project was led by Iberdrola through its subsidiary Ailes Marines.
• Key stakeholders include Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy for the turbines, Navantia Windar for the jacket foundations, and Haizea Breizh for the electrical components of the masts.

This project solidifies Iberdrola's position as a leader in the development and operation of offshore wind energy globally, following other successful projects such as West of Duddon Sands, Wikinger, and East Anglia One.