The Countdown Begins: Final Cables Set for Installation
The Îles d’Yeu and Noirmoutier offshore wind farm, a beacon of France’s renewable energy ambitions, is entering its final phase of construction. Louis Dreyfus TravOcean and Prysmian are gearing up to install the last inter-array cables at the site, marking a significant milestone in this groundbreaking project. With just 5 strings and 37 cables remaining, the 61-turbine wind farm is inching closer to becoming a reality.
Located 11.7 kilometers from the island of Yeu and 16.5 kilometers from Noirmoutier, this offshore wind farm is set to harness the power of the Atlantic Ocean to generate clean energy for hundreds of thousands of homes.
Cutting-Edge Vessels and Tech Power the Project
The installation campaign is a feat of engineering and logistics. Geoquip Marine’s vessel, Geoquip Elena, will handle the cable installation, while the Island Diligence, a state-of-the-art service operation vessel (SOV) owned by Island Offshore, will manage the pull-in, termination, and testing work. Supporting the operation are crew transfer vessels (CTVs) Farra Grainne and HST Lowestoft, ensuring seamless coordination between teams.
Last year’s construction efforts laid the groundwork for this final push, with 33 monopile foundations and 17 inter-array cables already installed. The arrival of the first eight wind turbine nacelles in Saint-Nazaire earlier this year signaled the project’s momentum.
A Green Energy Giant on the Horizon
Once operational by the end of 2025, the Îles d’Yeu and Noirmoutier wind farm will feature 61 Siemens Gamesa 8 MW turbines, transported and installed by Vole au Vent, Jan De Nul’s cutting-edge installation vessel. The farm is expected to generate a staggering 1,900 GWh annually—enough to power 800,000 homes.
Developed by the EMYN consortium, which includes Ocean Winds, Sumitomo Corporation, Banque des Territoires, and Vendée Energie, this project is a testament to international collaboration and innovation in renewable energy.
