TotalEnergies has been selected by the French government to operate the Centre Manche 2 offshore wind project, the largest renewable energy development ever undertaken in the country. Partnering initially with RWE, the company will design, build, and operate a 1.5 GW offshore wind farm located over 40 kilometers off the Normandy coast.

The wind farm is projected to produce around 6 TWh annually, supplying more than 1 million French households with clean energy at a competitive price of €66/MWh. This makes it the largest single renewable energy initiative in France’s history and the most significant domestic investment by TotalEnergies in the past three decades, with a total value of €4.5 billion.

TotalEnergies emphasized its commitment to supporting regional economies by prioritizing job creation, particularly in Normandy, and implementing a European preference policy for key equipment such as wind turbines and electrical cables. Studies are underway to reach a final investment decision by 2029, with electricity production scheduled to begin in 2033, aligned with the national grid operator’s connection plan.

Patrick Pouyanné, Chairman and CEO of TotalEnergies, stated that the project symbolizes the company’s transformation into a major multi-energy provider. He highlighted its potential to strengthen France’s renewable sector, foster local industry expertise, and ensure competitive electricity prices for French consumers.

Although RWE has indicated plans to withdraw from the consortium, TotalEnergies confirmed it will continue the project independently, honoring all existing commitments, while also seeking a new partner to join.

This milestone underscores TotalEnergies’ growing role in France’s energy transition and its strategy to expand low-carbon electricity production, consolidating its position as a leading player in offshore wind development across Europe.

This article is based on publicly available press releases and corporate announcements.