The company presented the broad outline of its 500MW project 15 kilometres off the Ile d'Oléron, in the Atlantic, earlier this month. It would be located in waters 20-30 metres deep, at an estimated cost of around €2 billion.
Wpd is also developing a 500MW project in the English Channel off Boulogne-sur-Mer. Wpd Offshore has been working on the projects for several years.
It is unknown what zones will be offered for tender. Favorable areas are currently being identified and the energy and environment minister, Segolene Royal, is expected to make an announcement sometime after April next year.
The French government announced its intention to hold a third offshore wind auction earlier this month.
Wpd Offshore was awarded two projects at Courseulles-sur-Mer and Fecamp in the first round, in a consortium with EDF Energies Nouvelles and Dong Energy. However, it is still to make a decision on a partner for the coming round.
