The EDF Group reaches a gigawatt of installed wind power in France

Following the commissioning of several wind farms in France, the Group reaches with this acquisition the 1 gigawatt milestone for installed onshore wind power capacity in the country. This confirms its position as French number 2 in the sector, as well as its commitment to the country's energy transition. 

Several projects are emblematic of the Group's expansion in the French market, which has Europe's second largest wind potential:

• 25 MW was put into service in Champagne-Ardenne and Picardy in late 2014, representing the annual consumption of more than 22,000 inhabitants.

• The Ensemble Eolien Catalan, a large-scale wind farm, went into operation in June with the commissioning of the first tranche of 44 MW. Situated in Languedoc-Roussillon, a region that accounts for 30% of EDF's wind power assets in France, a key feature of the project is the use of pioneering technology: stealth blades that minimize the impact on weather radar.

• Finally, more than 100 MW of wind farms currently under construction will be commissioned in 2016.

Internationally, onshore wind is the main focus of the Group's development in new renewables, with a presence in 15 different countries and an installed capacity of 6.8 GW as of 30 June 2015.

For Antoine Cahuzac, Group Executive Director in charge of the Renewable Energy Division and Chief Executive Officer of EDF Energies Nouvelles, “As part of EDF's CAP 2030 strategy, we have set ourselves the target of doubling our global installed capacity for renewable energy. To reach the milestone of one gigawatt of onshore wind power in France testifies to this commitment and represents an important step towards strengthening our position in France.”