TotalEnergies Wins Centre Manche 2 Offshore Wind Tender
France has taken a major step toward its energy transition with the selection of the consortium led by TotalEnergies, alongside RWE, as the winner of the Centre Manche 2 (AO8) offshore wind tender. Located more than 40 kilometers off the coast of Normandy, this 1.5 gigawatt project will be the largest renewable energy development in France’s history. Once operational, the wind farm will generate around 6 terawatt-hours of green electricity annually, enough to power over one million households, at a competitive rate of €66 per megawatt-hour.
TotalEnergies will lead the project as operator, capitalizing on its deep experience in offshore energy and large-scale marine infrastructure. The project represents not only the company’s biggest investment in France in decades, but also a symbolic embodiment of its transition from fossil fuels into a broader energy company with a strong renewable portfolio. A final investment decision is anticipated in early 2029, with production slated to begin in 2033, synchronized with RTE’s grid connection schedule.
The scale of this venture underscores its strategic importance. With a total investment of €4.5 billion, the wind farm will create direct economic benefits in the Normandy region and across Europe. Up to 2,500 jobs are expected during the three years of construction, with a dedicated focus on apprenticeships and professional reintegration, totaling 500,000 hours of work opportunities. In addition, the project’s supply chain will prioritize European manufacturers, particularly for wind turbines and electrical cables, strengthening continental industrial capacity in renewable technologies.
TotalEnergies has also committed to ensuring that the wind farm integrates seamlessly with the local community and ecosystem. The company will maintain close consultations with regional stakeholders, including the fishing sector, and launch a crowdfunding scheme enabling residents and local authorities to directly invest in the project. Beyond financial participation, a €10 million territorial fund will support training, education, and cultural initiatives, reinforcing community ties.
Environmental stewardship is central to the project’s design. TotalEnergies will allocate €45 million toward impact reduction and offset measures, as well as €15 million to a biodiversity fund in Normandy. It has also pledged to make the farm exemplary in terms of circularity, with at least 95% of blades, towers, and nacelles being recycled, reused, or repurposed, and 100% of generator magnets given a second life. This places the project among the most ambitious in Europe in terms of sustainability standards.
Although RWE has indicated its intention to withdraw from the consortium, subject to regulatory approval, TotalEnergies has confirmed it will proceed with full responsibility for the project and may invite a new partner onboard. Regardless of the consortium’s future configuration, the Centre Manche 2 offshore wind farm will mark a milestone for France, Normandy, and Europe as a whole, standing as a powerful symbol of industrial ambition, community participation, and environmental responsibility in the energy transition.