EDF Energies Nouvelles launches the construction of a new offshore wind farm in the United Kingdom

EDF Energies Nouvelles has announced that it has launched the construction of Blyth offshore wind project located off the coast of Northumberland, in north-east England.

As we reported in November 2014, EDF Energy Renewable, the group’s UK subsidiary, announced that it acquired the rights to develop the offshore wind farm by securing both the seabed rights from The Crown Estate, and associated land rights and meteorological data from the Offshore Renewable Energy (ORE) Catapult.

The first part of the project, which will have 41.5 MW in installed capacity, will consist of 5 MHI Vestas offshore Wind turbines. Led by EDF Energy Renewables offshore construction work is due to commence in 2017.

Implementation of this project will enable the group to use cutting-edge offshore technologies in real conditions, and to increase its expertise in upgrading installation, commissioning, operating and maintaining procedures for offshore wind turbines.

Antoine Cahuzac, Senior Executive Vice President in Renewable Energies of EDF and Chief Executive Officer of EDF Energies Nouvelles, commented:

“Drawing on our experience in building offshore wind farms in the United Kingdom (Teesside) and Belgium (C-Power) and developing three projects in France, EDF Energies Nouvelles intends to continue contributing to innovation in this sector. The Blyth project is offering a further opportunity to fine-tune our expertise in offshore wind farms.”