Ocean Winds has produced first power at its 496-megawatt (MW) Îles d’Yeu and Noirmoutier (EMYN) offshore wind farm, marking its initial delivery of electricity from offshore wind in France, the company said on Tuesday.
The milestone follows the installation of the project’s first turbine and comes after grid connection testing began on 23 May. Initial turbines are now supplying electricity to the French national grid. The full 62-turbine project, located off the Vendée coast in western France, is expected to be fully commissioned by the end of 2025.
“This major milestone — first power supplied to the national grid — marks not only a technical achievement for the project but also a defining moment for Ocean Winds,” said Marc Hirt, country manager France at Ocean Winds.
The EMYN project is part of France’s broader strategy to scale up renewable energy capacity and reduce reliance on fossil fuels. “The EMYN project not only contributes to France’s energy transition but also reinforces the strength of the country’s offshore wind industry, built on a strong European and local supply chain,” Hirt added.
Grid infrastructure for the project was developed and is being operated by French transmission system operator RTE, which managed both the offshore and onshore components.
“The first megawatt hours produced by EMYN are the result of meticulous coordination at sea and on land,” said Frédéric Flaus, EMYN project director.
Ocean Winds, a joint venture between EDP Renewables and ENGIE, is currently developing two additional offshore wind farms in France—Dieppe-Le Tréport and EFGL—and recently secured a 250MW floating wind project in the Mediterranean in partnership with Banque des Territoires.