The company Eoliennes en Mer de Dunkerque (EMD) [for the offshore wind farm] and RTE (Electricity Transport Network) [for its connection to the onshore electricity network], have announced their decision to continue to develop the offshore wind farm project off Dunkirk. This decision was taken at the end of the public debate conducted between September 14 and December 20, 2020 by the Special Commission for Public Debate (CPDP).

The Dunkirk offshore wind farm project was awarded in June 2019 by the State to the EMD consortium made up of EDF Renouvelables, Enbridge Éolien France S.à rl, a subsidiary of Enbridge Inc., and RWE Renewables (previously innogy). With a maximum capacity of 600 MW, the project contributes to meeting the French government's energy transition objectives of reaching 40% renewable electricity production by 2030. By 2027, it will produce electricity. carbon-free equivalent to the annual consumption of nearly one million inhabitants, or one third of the population of the Nord department.

In February 2021, the CPDP appointed by the National Commission for Public Debate (CNDP) published its report on the debate and its recommendations for the attention of the contracting authorities of the Dunkirk offshore wind project. EMD, owner of the offshore wind farm, and RTE, owner of the electrical connection of the park, have taken note of these conclusions and have jointly decided to continue the development of the project.

The discussions during the nine public debate meetings which welcomed 1,100 local participants, as well as the numerous contributions on the dedicated website, made it possible to measure the territory's expectations as well as certain points of attention relating to the project.

The development of the offshore wind project will continue in accordance with the following commitments:

• Conduct a continuous process of information and participation with the local population and all French and Belgian stakeholders throughout the life of the project, including the authorization, construction and operation phases. This consultation will be carried out on 5 themes (biodiversity and environment, economy and employment, use of the sea, professional fishing and marine cultures, tourism), notably through working groups, public meetings and a digital exchange platform. ;
• Strengthen measures in favor of biodiversity : An environmental impact study will be carried out with the expertise of naturalist associations (GoN, Le Clipon, FNE) and with the Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences. An avifauna detection radar will also be installed soon in the port of Dunkirk. Impact studies and environmental measures will be shared with the public and associations.
• Ensure integration into the landscape: The installation of the first wind turbines has been moved back from 9 km to 11.4 km from the coastal communities east of Dunkirk, i.e. a distance increased by more than 25% compared to the area of location proposed in the call for tenders. In the choice and installation of wind turbines, particular attention will be paid to their size.
• Position the project at the heart of economic, industrial, maritime and tourist developments in Dunkirk.

The Dunkirk offshore wind farm project will mobilize, during the construction phase, 850 direct jobs and more than 3 times more indirect and induced jobs in France and in Europe. During the operation phase, around fifty direct and long-term local jobs will be created for the future maintenance base, the installation of which is planned at the Grand Port Maritime de Dunkirk, Quai des Monitors.

Made up of a maximum number of 46 wind turbines located in an area of ​​less than 50 km², on a site that benefits from strong and regular winds and favorable seabed, this Dunkirk offshore wind farm project has a cost of very competitive electricity of 44 € / MWh.

The electricity produced will be transported to the RTE network via a 20 to 25 km electrical link which will link an electrical substation at sea, grouping the electrical cables of the wind turbines installed by EMD, to an onshore electrical substation.

EMD and RTE plan to submit their authorization applications in the second half of 2021. A phase of continuous consultation, placed under the aegis of a guarantor appointed by the CNDP, will be put in place until a public inquiry, envisaged in the second. semester 2022.

Bruno Bensasson, Executive Director of the EDF Group in charge of the renewable energies division and Chairman and CEO of EDF Renouvelables, declared:
“EDF is fully committed to contributing to the objectives set by the Government in the Pluriannual Energy Programming. Leading player in offshore wind power in France with 4 projects won out of the 7 already awarded by the State, EDF supports the development of this technology, which has made great progress and has many advantages. Three of these projects are currently under construction along the French coasts and mobilize many jobs. The EMD teams dedicated to the offshore Dunkirk wind farm project are committed to working alongside local stakeholders and residents in order to make this economic, ecological and social project a showcase for the energy transition for the Dunkirk territory, which combines efficiency energy and diversified mix.

Matthew Akman, Vice President, Strategy and Energy of Enbridge, added: 
“Enbridge is delighted to participate in this next phase of development of the Dunkirk offshore wind project. Active in the renewable energy industry in France since 2016, we are happy to extend our involvement in this project. We will continue to develop renewable energy activities in line with our rigorous approach to capital allocation. This growing activity in our company also contributes to the low-carbon economic transition and confirms our leadership position in the industry on our environmental, social and governance (ESG) criteria".

Xavier Piechaczyk, Chairman of the Management Board of RTE, declared: 
“RTE is becoming a central maritime industrial operator. Guarantor of the country's electricity solidarity, its role is to provide carbon-free electricity wherever it is needed at all times, when it is produced. It connects and supports the 15 French offshore wind projects. To do this, RTE is a developer who listens to the populations, at the service of the territories, which includes its projects while limiting their footprint".

KeyFacts Energy: EDF Renewables France country profile