Chenxi Power

Cable giant Nexans and Réseau de Transport d’Electricité （RTE）A major framework agreement worth more than €1 billion has been reached for the design, manufacture and supply of high voltage direct current (HVDC) cables for offshore wind farms in France.

The framework agreement covers the supply, installation and commissioning of 450 km of HVDC submarine cable and 280 km of HVDC onshore cable to support three offshore wind farms, namely Center Manche 1 & 2 and Oleron and Oleron’s connection to the French transmission network.

The value of the agreement is in excess of EUR 1 billion, depending on the final volume agreed in the next phase prior to the signing of each EPCI contract and the appointment of subcontractors.

“By providing state-of-the-art transmission solutions, we are not only supporting France’s ambitious offshore wind targets, but also enhancing the resilience and sustainability of the grid.” Nexans remains committed to a more connected and sustainable future, leveraging our expertise to drive large-scale renewable energy projects that will define the future energy landscape, “said Christopher Guerin, Nexans CEO.

According to Nexans, the agreement is in line with France’s offshore wind target of 45 GW of installed capacity by 2050.

The Centre Manche 1 (A04) offshore wind farm will be built by Eoliennes en Mer Manche Normandie, a special purpose company of EDF Renouvelables and Canada’s Maple Power.

The developer of the 1.5GW Centre Manche 2 wind project will be selected through a French AO8 tender in 2025.

The Ile d ‘Oleron (AO7) wind farm of up to 1.2GW is planned to be built near the island of Oleron, more than 35km from the coast, beyond the reach of the Gironde Estuary Marine Natural Park and the Sea of Pertuis.

In August 2024, French transmission system operator (TSO) RTE signed a contract with a consortium consisting of Hitachi Energy and Chantiers de l’Atlantique to supply the onshore converter station and offshore substation for the three projects.

There are currently three operational offshore wind farms in France, with the most recent addition being the 496MW Saint-Brieuc project.