Through a new memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Eolien Maritime France (EMF), GE Renewable Energy has confirmed that its commitment to provide and service Haliade 150-6 MW turbines for one of EMF’s French offshore wind developments will be cleared of any legal recourse. Notably, the MOU also terminates GE’s exclusive supplier status on two other offshore projects carried out by EMF.
Instead, Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy (SGRE) has signed a new framework agreement with EMF for the two projects GE has exited. The projects are now expected to use SWT-7.0-154 DD offshore wind turbines (subject to contract and EMF’s final investment decision).
Under the framework agreement, SGRE will supply up to 1 GW of offshore wind turbines and provide 15 years of service. SGRE’s planned offshore wind turbine manufacturing facility – currently under development in the Port of Le Havre – will produce the turbines for the consortium’s projects. EMF members are EDF Renewables and Enbridge.
“We thank EMF and its shareholders for their trust. This agreement again confirms Siemens Gamesa’s position as leader of the offshore wind market in France and allows us to strengthen our medium-term prospects as part of the development of the industrial project in Le Havre,” comments Markus Tacke, CEO of SGRE. “Siemens Gamesa remains fully committed to meeting the needs of all its customers and ensuring that these projects are a success for the sector and for France.”
According to GE, the three projects offshore Courseulles-sur-Mer, Saint-Nazaire and Fécamp are still awaiting the last court decisions, following appeals against the administrative authorizations required for their implementation. The cumulative excessive delays since 2012 on the projects (related to these claims) have significantly impacted the financial characteristics of the projects for GE, the company says. Therefore, GE has decided to review its engagement in the projects.
Since the award of the three offshore wind farms to EMF in 2012, GE says it has committed resources and investments to design and manufacture turbines in the area, with the installation of a dedicated engineering office in Nantes and the construction of a manufacturing plant in Saint-Nazaire, which has enabled GE to produce more than 80 turbines for other offshore wind farms in Europe, Asia and North America.
