Iberdrola has officially opened the Saint-Brieuc offshore wind farm, France’s second largest, boasting a capacity of 496 megawatts (MW) and an annual production of nearly 2,000 gigawatt hours (GWh). This project will provide secure, local, and emission-free energy to approximately 1 million people.
With an investment of €2.4 billion, the Saint-Brieuc project began development in 2012 and achieved full operation in 2024 after three years of construction. It features 62 turbines, each rated at 8 MW, marking the most powerful turbines installed in France to date.
The construction phase created over 1,700 jobs, including 500 locally, and involved leading companies such as Siemens-Gamesa (wind turbines), Navantia Windar (foundations), Haizea (towers), Prysmian (cabling), and Van Oord (installation). In total, more than 150 European firms contributed to the project.
Iberdrola’s executive chairman, Ignacio Galán, stated, “This project lays the foundations for the offshore wind sector in France and clearly demonstrates the technology’s potential to enhance energy security and drive Europe’s reindustrialization while meeting climate objectives.”
The Saint-Brieuc project has also advanced the offshore wind sector in France, with Siemens-Gamesa manufacturing the wind turbines at a new facility in Le Havre, while Navantia Windar partially built the jacket foundations at the Port of Brest.
Despite facing challenges such as adverse weather and difficult sea conditions, Iberdrola’s experienced project team and suppliers successfully delivered the project on schedule. Innovative techniques were developed to secure the turbine foundations to the seabed, overcoming obstacles posed by hard basalt rock formations.
Years of meticulous planning ensured that hundreds of companies across the supply chain met specifications and deadlines, supported by expert teams implementing environmental protection measures and meeting various social requirements.
Global Leadership in Offshore Wind
Saint-Brieuc is Iberdrola’s fourth operational offshore wind farm, following West of Duddon Sands (UK), Wikinger (Germany), and East Anglia One (UK). The company currently has four additional projects under construction, including Baltic Eagle in Germany and Vineyard Wind 1 in the U.S., both set to be operational by 2025, along with East Anglia Three and Windanker in 2026.
Iberdrola’s total investment in operational and under-construction offshore wind farms reaches €15 billion. Recently, the company secured contracts for two new projects: East Anglia Two in the UK and New England Wind 1 in Massachusetts. Upon completion, Iberdrola’s total investment in offshore wind will exceed €25 billion.
