Offshore Wind: GDF SUEZ, EDP Renewables, Neoen Marine and AREVA Submit Their Offers for the Region of Tréport and Islands of Yeu and Noirmoutier

Regulatory News :

GDF SUEZ, EDP Renewables, Neoen Marine, and AREVA (Paris:AREVA) submitted to the French government today their proposals for the installation and operation of 1,000 MW of offshore wind energy – 500 MW in the Le Tréport (Haute-Normandie) area and 500 MW in the vicinity of the islands of Yeu and Noirmoutier (Pays-de-la-Loire). The estimated production generated by these two wind farms could provide the electricity for 1.6 million French people.

GDF SUEZ, EDP Renewables, Neoen Marine and AREVA want to develop their projects through a powerful and sustainable local industrial sector in close collaboration with local stakeholders. These projects also ensure support for fishermen and concrete solutions for the protection of the environment and the landscape. As leaders in renewable energy that are already involved in 25 offshore wind projects, the partners will utilize their complementary expertise from the management of major industrial projects, offshore construction, to the technical analysis.

Projects that create jobs and economic activity in France
The construction of these two wind farms will generate close to 6,000 jobs and involve many local businesses. With the support of local authorities, chambers of commerce, and related industries, the consortium partners have met with close to 450 businesses in the regions of Normandy, Picardy, and in Pays-de-la-Loire, notably in Vendée. This network would form the base of the French offshore wind industry.

These projects will also involve the significant development of regional port facilities. At the port of Le Havre, four factories will be set up to manufacture the nacelles, blades, and other key equipment for wind turbines (bearings, multipliers, generators, etc.). In addition, the ports of Le Havre and Saint-Nazaire will serve as construction sites for the offshore facilities. Finally, support centers for logistics, operations, and maintenance will be located at the ports of Dieppe and Le Tréport, as well as on the islands of Yeu and Noirmoutier, mobilizing 100% local jobs.

The most powerful French offshore wind turbine
GDF SUEZ, EDP Renewables, and Neoen have chosen AREVA’s new 8 MW turbine, made in France. This technology provides improved productivity and output, nearly a 40% reduction in the number of turbines at the wind farms and enhanced compatibility with local fishing activities. This turbine will also make it possible to reduce construction time and optimize wind farm maintenance.

This 8 MW turbine brings together the industrial experience and the recognized reliability of AREVA’s technological platform in the offshore wind field.

Innovation at the heart of the strategy
The Research & Development is an integral part of the offers presented. The partners have also initiated cooperation with local universities and research institutes to build an offshore wind industry in France, to be exported internationally in the future.

About GDF SUEZ

GDF SUEZ develops its businesses (electricity, natural gas, 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, combating climate change and optimizing 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: liquefied natural gas, energy efficiency services, independent power production and environmental services. GDF SUEZ employs 219,300 people worldwide and achieved revenues of €97 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, ASPI Eurozone, Vigeo World 120, Vigeo Europe 120 and Vigeo 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 has led Neoen Marine to build attractive, harmonious and responsible projects. Neoen Marine is a 20% subsidiary of La Caisse des Dépôts and 80% 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.