The approval was part of GE Renewable Energy and DCNS' Sea Reed project, backed by the French environment and energy management agency.
The preliminary design award shows the plans are feasible and allows development of the structure to proceed. The design methodologies have been approved, including hydrodynamics and stability.
DCNS Energies CEO Thierry Kalanquin said: "This certification granted by an independent and reputable international certification agency proves the maturity and seriousness of our solution. It also validates our system in the short-term for our ongoing projects, in France and in the United States but also in the mid and long term for our future commercial farms projects all around the world."
The DCNS floating foundation is set to be used at the Ile de Groix zone, off Brittany, northwest France.
The project is developed by Eolfi and China General Nuclear Power, and will feature four of GE's 6MW Haliade turbines.
"We are seeing increasing interest in [floating] technology as demand for wind power increases. Floating offshore wind turibines, fabricated onshore, can be installed in deep water and on variable seafloor topographies. Because of their low environmental impact during installation and application in deeper waters, we can see that demand for [floating turbines] will grow," said Bureau Veritas head of offshore, Matthieu de Tugny.
