GDF SUEZ and EDP Renewables recently signed an agreement with Neoen Marine with a view to submitting a joint response to the public tender for offshore wind power generation1. The consortium is made up of GDF SUEZ (47%), EDP Renewables (43%), and Neoen Marine (10%).

Neoen Marine is a subsidiary of the Neoen Group (80% stake), which has operating and construction assets totaling 200 MW, and the Caisse des Dépôts (20%), and specializes in offshore renewable energy. Since it was founded in 2008, the company has invested more than €6 million in development projects along France's coastline, from the Mediterranean and the Atlantic to the English Channel and the North Sea. The company's technical and environmental expertise enabled it to join forces with its partners in one of the consortiums selected for the first public tender for offshore wind power launched by the French government in 2011, for the Saint-Brieuc region.

Neoen Marine will provide the consortium with its recognized experience as a developer in the Yeu-Noirmoutier region and its local knowledge, including detailed analysis of the coastline, current usage, and technical aspects. With the support of Caisse des Dépôts, one of its shareholders, Neoen Marine will also strengthen the territorial anchorage already laid down by the consortium. For their part, GDF SUEZ and EDP Renewables possess a strong expertise in renewable energy (36,000 MW of operating assets and close to 7,000 MW in construction assets worldwide), large-scale industrial projects, and offshore work. With regard to offshore wind power, they are involved in 19 projects representing a total power output of over 5,000 MW.

GDF SUEZ, EDP Renewables and Neoen Marine are looking to actively contribute to the development of offshore wind energy in France and the structuring of an industrial sector, which will create jobs and training opportunities. The partners aim to propose high performance, exemplary projects, developed in partnership with local stakeholders. These projects also include support for professional fishermen and concrete solutions in terms of respect for the local environment and maritime safety.

The consortium will also rely on an industrial partnership with AREVA as regards the design and the construction of off-shore wind turbines. AREVA has unique track record in this activity thanks to the operation of wind turbines in the offshore field Alpha Ventus in the North Sea since 2009 and thanks to the on-going deployment of 600 MW offshore projects.

1The tender relates to the installation of 1,000 MW of wind turbines off the French coast near Le Tréport (Haute-Normandie - 500 MW) and the islands of Yeu and Noirmoutier (Pays de la Loire - 500 MW) by 2020. The offers will be assessed by the French government based on technical, financial, industrial, social and environmental criteria. They must be submitted to the French Regulatory Commission of Energy (CRE) by November 29, and a governmental decision is expected in 2014.

About GDF SUEZ

GDF SUEZ develops its businesses (power, natural gas, energy services) around a model based on responsible growth to take up today's major energy and environmental challenges: meeting energy needs, ensuring the security of supply, fighting against climate change and maximizing the use of resources. The Group provides highly efficient and innovative solutions to individuals, cities and businesses by relying on diversified gas-supply sources, flexible and low-emission power generation as well as unique expertise in four key sectors: independent power production, liquefied natural gas, renewable energy and energy efficiency services.GDF SUEZ employs 138,200 people worldwide and achieved revenues of €82 billion in 2012. The Group is listed on the Paris, Brussels and Luxembourg stock exchanges and is represented in the main international indices: CAC 40, BEL 20, DJ Euro Stoxx 50, Euronext 100, FTSE Eurotop 100, MSCI Europe, ASPI Eurozone, Euronext Vigeo Eurozone 120, Vigeo World 120, Vigeo Europe 120 and Vigeo France 20.

About EDP Renewables

EDP Renewables (Euronext: EDPR), headquartered in Madrid, Spain, is a global leader in the renewable energy sector and the world's third-largest wind energy producer. With a sound development pipeline, first class assets and market-leading operating capacity, EDPR has undergone exceptional development in recent years and is currently present in 11 markets (Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Spain, the US, France, Italy, Poland, Portugal, the UK and Romania). Energias de Portugal, S.A. ("EDP"), the majority shareholder of EDPR, is a global energy company and a leader in value creation, innovation and sustainability. EDP is Portugal's largest industrial group and the only Portuguese company to form part of the Dow Jones Sustainability Indexes (World and STOXX).

About Neoen Marine

Neoen Marine is a French company specialized in the development of Marine Renewable Energy projects. Neoen Marine has built a unique expertise in the management of environmental and technical challenges for offshore wind projects. Its strong local and territorial involvement has led Neoen Marine to build attractive, harmonious and responsible projects. Neoen Marine is a 20% subsidiary of La Caisse des Dépôts and 80% of neoen, a French Independent Energy Producer. Already active in France and Portugal with a portfolio of assets exceeding 200 MW, neoen targets 1,000 MW for 2016, establishing its foothold on high potential markets in Central and North America as well as Africa and Australia.

Press contacts

  • GDF SUEZ:
    Tel France: +33 (0)1 44 22 24 35
    Tel Belgium: +32 2 510 76 70
    E-Mail : gdfsuezpress@gdfsuez.com
  • EDP Renewables:
    Tel Spain: + 34 902 830 700
    E-Mail : ir@gdfsuez.com
  • Neoen Marine
    Isabelle Bouy
    Tel: +33 (0)6 50 17 18 19
    E-mail: isabelle@trium-rp.com
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