A new foundation for offshore wind

In France, to raise the share of renewable energy to 23% of end energy consumption by 2020, there needs to be a step change in wind power in particular. Thanks to the potential of its extensive coastline, the country is planning on installing large offshore wind farms. Off the coast of Fécamp, one of these farms is under study and measurement masts are being used there to see if weather conditions are right. To reduce the cost of these studies and simply logistics, EDF Énergies Nouvelles has designed and tested gravity foundation masts that can be floated into position and do not need to be anchored to the seabed.