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New consortium to join race for 500MW project off southern Brittany, targeting 2032 start The Astenn Avel consortium, originally formed by Elicio and Q?ENERGY, has brought on board French renewables group Valorem to jointly bid for France’s AO9 floating wind tender off the coast of southern Brittany. The project aims to add 500MW of capacity adjacent to the Pennavel (AO5) site near Groix and Belle-Île-en-Mer, with commissioning expected between 2032 and 2033. Valorem’s arrival strengthens the consortium’s offer with added experience in regional coordination, technical design and socio-economic development, according to the consortium. “We are proud to join Elicio and Q?ENERGY within Astenn Avel,” said Olivier Angoulevant, director of offshore development at Valorem. “This project is a major opportunity for French industry.” Elicio’s development director Emmanuel Van Vyve said the consortium was built on complementarity and local commitment. “With Q?ENERGY and Valorem, we share the desire to carry out a coordinated, robust and locally rooted project.” Q?ENERGY’s offshore director Ken Ilacqua welcomed Valorem’s addition: “With the support of this major player in renewable energy in France, we want to develop a project that respects environmental issues and will be an asset for the energy independence of Brittany and France.” The group said it would engage transparently with local stakeholders, prioritise coexistence with sea users including fishers, and maximise local economic benefits through employment, training and industrial activity. Elicio brings to the table over 2.3GW of offshore wind capacity, including 1.2GW in operation. The company was awarded France’s AO5 site in southern Brittany. Q?ENERGY has been active in French renewables for over 25 years and co-developed one of the country’s first offshore wind farms in Saint-Brieuc. Valorem, a community-focused developer, has more than a decade of offshore wind experience and pioneered onshore wind in France. The A09 tender is part of France’s push to accelerate floating wind development and establish regional supply chains to support its climate and energy goals. |
