A project for the future of Normandy
The offshore wind industry is now taking shape in France with the launch of the construction of the first wind farms.
The Calvados offshore wind farm is the second offshore wind farm under construction in Normandy, and one of the first four in France. It consists of 64 offshore wind turbines with a total capacity of 450 MW.
The wind turbines will be located more than 10 km from the Bessin coast (Courseulles-sur-mer), on a total area of 50 km². The area of the seabed will represent less than 1% of this surface.
The wind farm will produce enough electricity to supply 630,000 people, which is more than 90% of the people who live in Calvados.
Project localisation
The site of Courseulles-dur-Mer has many advantages:
- a suitable environment for offshore wind: strong and steady winds and moderately deep waters;
- an area with no major constraints in terms of maritime use and maritime security. It is situated well away from any main routes of commercial navigation;
- environmental compatibility: over a number of years, studies have been carried out to ensure the project is compatible with the local environment and use of the area.
Since 2007, a lot of work has taken place with local employers, training organizations and other stakeholders to ensure the project maximises local economic benefits.
More than 1000 jobs mobilized
The Calvados offshore wind farm relies on a network of regional infrastructures and skills and will significantly contribute to the creation and mobilization of jobs in Normandy.
The construction, assembly, offshore installation and maintenance activities of the wind farm will enable the local development of know-how and skills.
A project consistent with local technical and environmental issues
Numerous studies carried out over several years have made it possible to define a project adapted to the environmental challenges of the park’s implementation zone.
Today, the commitment continues with a monitoring program, using visual surveys, dives, radar, and airplane observations, concerning in particular marine mammals, fish, birds, as well as the flora and fauna of the sea floor.
These observation and study campaigns, some of which are carried out on a monthly basis, also allow us to improve our knowledge of the marine environment in the Baie de Seine and to adapt the environmental measures provided for in the project impact study.
For example, there is ongoing consultation with fishing professionals to ensure that the park is compatible with their activity. These discussions have made it possible to position the project in a zone of lesser activity and to adapt it so that fishing will be possible once the park is in operation. To facilitate the activity, the wind turbines will be aligned in the direction of the current.
To keep alive the memory of the D-Day landings
Since the beginning of the project, the Calvados offshore wind farm has been committed to a voluntary process of local involvement with local stakeholders to keep the duty of remembrance alive.
A « History and Remembrance » group, in which the National Office for Veterans and Victims of War and the University of Caen are participating, was set up during the development phase of the offshore wind farm to keep alive the memory of the D-Day landings in connection with the industrial project.
The Calvados wind farm has also made a commitment to the Arromanches-les-Bains memorial site by becoming the « main private sponsor » of the work to restructure its spaces.