Tender launched for five offshore wind farms – good news for the green energy sector in France.

President Sarkozy of France has announced the first round of bidding for the construction of five 3,000 MW offshore wind farms, or 600 wind turbines, at a total cost of €10 billion. The wind farms, which are expected to be in action by 2015, will be located in north-west France. A subsequent tender is planned for another 3,000 MW.

The offshore wind farm project aims to make France one of the most advanced European countries in this field, and will increase the percentage of electricity from renewable sources used in France by 2%, or the equivalent of three small nuclear power stations. A target of 23% overall has been fixed for 2020.