Offshore Wind: GDF SUEZ, EDP Renewables, Neoen Marine and AREVA Commit to Jobs and Job Training in the Pays-de-la-Loire Region

Regulatory News :

At a meeting today with economic and political stakeholders from France’s Pays-de-la-Loire and Brittany regions, GDF SUEZ, EDP Renewables, Neoen Marine and AREVA (Paris:AREVA) reconfirmed their ambitions to develop innovative, concerted and local environment-friendly projects at the sites of the islands of Yeu and Noirmoutier (Pays-de-la-Loire – 500 MW) and Le Tréport (Haute-Normandie – 500 MW). This project can mobilize close to 6,000 direct and indirect jobs involving numerous local companies, and thus promote the emergence of a true French offshore wind energy industrial sector, that will generate new jobs training opportunities, and innovation.

A priority: job creation in the Pays-de-la-Loire region

In its response to the government’s request for proposals, the consortium’s goal is to contribute to the region’s economic dynamism and the creation of local jobs throughout all phases of its project.

With support from the Nantes-Saint-Nazaire and Vendée Chambers of Commerce and Industry, local governments, Néopolia and Vendée Expansion, the partners have met with over 150 local businesses in relation to the construction and installation of wind farm foundations and substations. The port of Saint-Nazaire will become the logistics center for the construction of the Yeu-Noirmoutier project. With this collaboration with SMEs and large local groups, the consortium intends to create significant sustainable jobs in the region.

The partners will install a project maintenance center at two sites in the Vendée region, a main base at Port-Joinville (on the island of Yeu) and an auxiliary base at Herbaudière (Noirmoutier). Five hundred jobs, including 130 direct positions, will thus be created over 25 years.

A commitment to training for job skill development

In conjunction with its project, the consortium signed eight agreements with the University Institutes of Technology of Saint-Nazaire, the Le Mans Adult Education Grouping, the Pays-de-la-Loire region employment center, the job center of Vendée, the Nantes-Saint-Nazaire and Vendée Chambers of Commerce and Industry, as well as employment agency for the islands of Yeu and Noirmoutier. The training benchmarks have already been developed in collaboration with the region. A 400,000-hour job training program will be carried out.

An environment-friendly operating installation

In addition to a 40% reduction of wind turbines made possible by AREVA’s 8 MW turbine, consortium companies are looking to install turbines on jacket foundations at the two sites. These foundations are indeed more environment friendly as they allow for the free passage through them of ocean swells and fish. The consortium’s choice of these foundations confirms the exclusivity agreement signed at the end of 2012 between AREVA and STX France for the development of an optimized jacket foundation technical solution.

About GDF SUEZ

GDF SUEZ develops its businesses (power, natural gas, energy services) around a model based on responsible growth to take up today’s major energy and environmental challenges: meeting energy needs, ensuring the security of supply, fighting against climate change and maximizing the use of resources. The Group provides highly efficient and innovative solutions to individuals, cities and businesses by relying on diversified gas-supply sources, flexible and low-emission power generation as well as unique expertise in four key sectors: independent power production, liquefied natural gas, renewable energy and energy efficiency services.GDF SUEZ employs 138,200 people worldwide and achieved revenues of €82 billion in 2012. The Group is listed on the Paris, Brussels and Luxembourg stock exchanges and is represented in the main international indices: CAC 40, BEL 20, DJ Euro Stoxx 50, Euronext 100, FTSE Eurotop 100, MSCI Europe and Euronext Vigeo (World 120, Eurozone 120, Europe 120 and France 20).

About EDP Renewables

EDP Renewables (Euronext: EDPR), headquartered in Madrid, Spain, is a global leader in the renewable energy sector and the world’s third-largest wind energy producer. With a sound development pipeline, first class assets and market-leading operating capacity, EDPR has undergone exceptional development in recent years and is currently present in 11 markets (Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Spain, the US, France, Italy, Poland, Portugal, the UK and Romania). Energias de Portugal, S.A. ("EDP”), the majority shareholder of EDPR, is a global energy company and a leader in value creation, innovation and sustainability. EDP is Portugal’s largest industrial group and the only Portuguese company to form part of the Dow Jones Sustainability Indexes (World and STOXX).

About Neoen Marine

Neoen Marine is a French company specialized in the development of Marine Renewable Energy projects. Neoen Marine has built a unique expertise in the management of environmental and technical challenges for offshore wind projects. Its strong local and territorial involvement, started in 2008, has led Neoen Marine to build attractive, harmonious and responsible projects. Neoen Marine is a 40% subsidiary of La Caisse des Dépôts and 60% of neoen, a French Independent Energy Producer. Already active in France and Portugal with a portfolio of assets exceeding 200 MW, neoen targets 1,000 MW for 2016, establishing its foothold on high potential markets in Central and North America as well as Africa and Australia.

About AREVA

AREVA supplies advanced technology solutions for power generation with less carbon. Its expertise and unwavering insistence on safety, security, transparency and ethics are setting the standard, and its responsible development is anchored in a process of continuous improvement.
Ranked first in the global nuclear power industry, AREVA’s unique integrated offering to utilities covers every stage of the fuel cycle, nuclear reactor design and construction, and operating services. The group is actively developing its activities in renewable energies – wind, bioenergy, solar and energy storage – to become a European leader in this sector.
With these two major offers, AREVA’s 46,000 employees are helping to supply ever safer, cleaner and more economical energy to the greatest number of people.