TotalEnergies, together with RWE, has secured the Centre Manche 2 offshore wind tender, positioning itself as operator of what will be the largest renewable energy initiative ever undertaken in France. The 1.5 gigawatt (GW) project, located more than 40 kilometers off the Normandy coast, will require an investment of about €4.5 billion, the largest made by TotalEnergies in the country in the last three decades. Once completed, the development is expected to generate close to 6 terawatt-hours annually, providing enough green electricity to serve more than one million households at a competitive rate of €66 per megawatt-hour.
TotalEnergies will lead the operation of the wind farm under this offshore wind tender, with a final investment decision targeted for early 2029 and electricity production projected to begin in 2033, in line with RTE’s connection schedule. “We are very proud to have won this tender for the construction of the largest renewable energy park in France to date. It embodies Total’s transformation into TotalEnergies in France. This project will be the largest investment made by TotalEnergies in France in decades and reflects our Company’s deep commitment to our country. As a long-standing player in Normandy, we are determined to mobilize our expertise to ensure this project is an industrial success while securing its acceptance by the region. We will work to support the local industrial ecosystem, which has already developed skills through the first offshore wind projects currently being installed. Finally, this project strengthens our development in green electricity production to offer competitive prices to our French customers”, said Patrick Pouyanné, Chairman and CEO of TotalEnergies.
RWE has indicated its intention to withdraw from the consortium, subject to approval from French authorities, though TotalEnergies has confirmed it will carry forward all commitments and seek a new partner. The project is expected to create considerable benefits for Normandy, employing up to 2,500 people during three years of construction. The company has pledged 500,000 hours of employment for apprentices and individuals in professional reintegration, alongside prioritising European suppliers for major components such as wind turbines and electrical cables. Additionally, €10 million will be directed to a territorial fund for training, education, and cultural programmes in Normandy, while €45 million will go toward impact mitigation and €15 million to biodiversity initiatives.
It will have a local normandy-based TotalEnergies team undertaking ongoing consultations with regional and local stakeholders to facilitate integration of the wind farm, including with fishing activities. There are also plans for a crowdfunding initiative that would allow residents and local authorities to invest in the project, further strengthening regional origins. TotalEnergies has pledged to best-in-class recycling practices with at least 95% reuse or recycling of blades, towers, and nacelles, and 100% of generator magnets. With over a century of history in France, TotalEnergies is also expanding its renewable portfolio, which already includes 660 wind, solar, hydro, and storage units, supplying electricity to the equivalent of 1.8 million people across the country.