Ocean Winds has installed the first turbine at the 500 MW Dieppe Le Tréport offshore wind farm off the coast of France.

The project will include 62 turbines and is designed to supply electricity equivalent to the annual consumption of about 850,000 people.

The offshore substation has already been installed. First power is expected in the coming weeks as turbines are gradually connected to the grid.

Dieppe Le Tréport is located off Le Tréport and Dieppe. Ocean Winds, jointly owned by EDP Renewables and ENGIE, is the majority shareholder and is leading the project’s development and delivery.

Frédéric Flaus, project director for EMDT, said the first turbine installation followed several years of preparation and close cooperation among the parties involved. He also said the project is supported by a mainly European supply chain and continued dialogue with local stakeholders and sea users.

Siemens Gamesa is supplying the turbines. Nacelles and blades are produced in Le Havre, while tower sections are manufactured in Bilbao and pre-equipped in Brest.

Foundations are manufactured in Fene, Spain, and stored in Cherbourg. The offshore substation was built by Chantiers de l’Atlantique in Saint-Nazaire.

Offshore installation work is being carried out by Jan De Nul and DEME, supported by ports along the Channel and North Sea coastline.

Marc Hirt, country manager for Ocean Winds in France, said the milestone shows the company’s progress in offshore wind in France and its ability to advance several projects across the country at the same time.