TotalEnergies (TTEF.PA) has been awarded the contract to develop and operate the 1,500-megawatt Centre Manche 2 offshore wind farm off the coast of Normandy, the French government announced.
The project, part of France’s eighth offshore wind tender (AO8), represents an investment of approximately €4.5 billion and is expected to generate around 6 terawatt-hours of electricity per year — enough to power over one million households. Electricity will be sold at €66 per megawatt-hour, as set by the tender conditions.
The wind farm will be located more than 40 kilometres off the coast, with electricity production scheduled to begin in 2033. A final investment decision is expected in early 2029, in line with the national grid operator RTE’s connection timeline.
“This project will be the largest investment made by TotalEnergies in France in decades and reflects our company’s deep commitment to our country,” said Patrick Pouyanné, chairman and chief executive of TotalEnergies. “It embodies Total’s transformation into TotalEnergies in France.”
The company partnered with Germany’s RWE (RWEG.DE) for the bidding phase, but RWE has since indicated it intends to withdraw from the project, subject to regulatory approval. TotalEnergies will assume full responsibility for the development and is expected to seek a new partner.
The construction phase is projected to create up to 2,500 jobs over a three-year period. The company has committed to allocating 500,000 work hours to apprentices and individuals undergoing professional reintegration.
As part of its regional engagement strategy, TotalEnergies plans to raise €10 million for a territorial fund to support training, education, and cultural initiatives in Normandy. Additional funds of €45 million have been earmarked for environmental impact mitigation, along with €15 million to support biodiversity.
The company also intends to launch a crowdfunding initiative to allow local residents and authorities to invest in the wind farm. A project team based in Normandy will continue consultations with regional stakeholders, including commercial fishing interests.
A European sourcing policy will guide the procurement of key equipment, with turbines, cables, and other major components expected to be manufactured within Europe. TotalEnergies has also pledged that at least 95% of materials such as turbine blades, towers, and nacelles will be recycled, reused, or repurposed, and 100% of generator magnets will be recovered.
“This project strengthens our development in green electricity production to offer competitive prices to our French customers,” Pouyanné added.
Since 2020, TotalEnergies has invested over €8 billion in France, with nearly half directed toward energy transition initiatives. The company currently operates 660 renewable energy assets nationwide, with more than 2 gigawatts of installed capacity.
