MHI Vestas and EolMed partner for floating offshore wind farm in France

The emergence of floating offshore wind in France took another step forward, as Qair (formerly known as Quadran Énergies Marines) tabbed MHI Vestas Offshore Wind to supply three V164-10.0 MW turbines for the EolMed pilot project.

The project will contribute to the unique V164 cumulative experience, as the floating offshore wind industry sets its sights on commercial-scale developments in the coming decade. It will be the second floating project in which the V164 nominal capacity is brought to 10 MW. With more than 160 MW of V164 planned for floating operations, MHI Vestas looks forward to further accelerating the reduction in the levelized cost of energy (LCOE) of floating offshore wind.

“In signing with our partner Qair, MHI Vestas confirms its commitment and leadership in floating offshore wind to the surging French floating market,” said MHI Vestas CEO, Philippe Kavafyan. “The EolMed project adds a significant building block as we will deploy our V164-10.0 MW turbine atop Ideol’s floating barge foundation. This collaboration with Qair and Ideol will undoubtedly help accelerate the floating sector from demonstration to commercial-scale projects.”

Louis Blanchard, CEO of Qair, added: “MHI Vestas is an undisputed leader in the offshore wind industry, and we are happy that they join us now to work for the EolMed project. At Qair, as a producer of energy from renewable sources, we are committed to accelerate the global energy transition. We have no doubt that having MHI Vestas as a preferred wind turbine supplier for EolMed will help to bring this exciting and ambitious project to life.”

The V164-10.0 MW turbines will be installed on Ideol’s foundation and will be located in the Mediterranean Sea approximately 18 km off the coast of Gruissan in the Aude region.

The combination of proven technologies such as Ideol’s patented Damping Pool foundation and MHI Vestas’ V164-10.0 MW turbine can potentially enable a quicker route to market for floating wind projects in Europe and Asia, where MHI Vestas deploys strong operational presences.

Following the announcements for Groix & Belle Ile and Eoliennes Flottantes du golfe du Lion (EFGL), the 30 MW EolMed project is the third floating offshore wind project for MHI Vestas in France and the sixth floating project overall.

EolMed is scheduled for installation in 2023.