Ocean Winds has completed the installation of the offshore electrical substation for its 496-megawatt Dieppe-Le Tréport wind farm in the English Channel, marking a key construction milestone for the project.
The substation, which will collect electricity from 62 turbines and transfer it to shore via grid infrastructure developed by French transmission operator RTE, is the first major offshore structure to be installed at the site. It is one of three offshore wind projects currently under construction by Ocean Winds in France.
Chantiers de l’Atlantique built the topside structure at its Saint-Nazaire shipyard, while the supporting jacket foundation was supplied by Spain’s Navantia. The heavy-lift vessel Gulliver, operated by DEME, carried out the installation.
“The successful installation of the offshore substation marks a step closer to delivering clean energy to the region,” said Frédéric Flaus, project director for Dieppe-Le Tréport.
Marc Hirt, Ocean Winds’ country manager for France, noted the broader impact of the development: “Ocean Winds is adding momentum to France’s offshore sector.
The substation lift concluded a two-year construction process. “This operation brings to an end 24 months of fabrication,said Frédéric Grizaud, director at Chantiers de l’Atlantique. “It reinforces our commitment and expertise in renewable energy infrastructure.
Once operational, the Dieppe-Le Tréport wind farm—jointly owned by Ocean Winds, Sumitomo Corporation and Banque des Territoires—is expected to supply electricity to approximately 850,000 people.
