ENGINEERINGNET.EU -- The 6 MW wind turbine has been developed in response to a call for tenders launched by the French government in July 2011 that aims to install 3 GW of wind turbine power off French shores by 2015.
In preparation for its certification, the first turbine will undergo a series of year-long tests on land at the Carnet site in France, before a second turbine is placed in the sea off the Belgian coast in autumn 2012.
Pre-series production is planned for 2013 with production in series due to start in 2014.
The Carnet site, located near Saint-Nazaire on the shores of the estuary, was chosen for its geological characteristics that are very similar to the submarine environment in which the wind turbines will eventually be installed.
Alstom is the exclusive supplier to a consortium led by EDF Energies Nouvelles which includes the Danish Dong Energy, as well as the developers Nass & Wind and wpd Offshore.
If the consortium’s response to the tender is successful, Alstom plans to establish up to 4 factories to produce components for these offshore wind turbines and for their assembly.
These French sites will be the first Alstom sites in the world entirely dedicated to offshore wind power.
(picture: Alstom)
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