European Commission approves €11b French subsidy for floating offshore wind

The European Commission has approved an €11 billion French subsidy scheme to support the development of offshore wind energy. The commission stated the measure aligns with the objectives of its clean industrial deal and will contribute to the transition towards a "net-zero economy".

The 20-year scheme will support the construction and operation of three floating offshore wind farms: one located off the coast of Southern Brittany and two others in the Mediterranean Sea. According to the commission, each wind farm is expected to have a capacity of around 500 MW and to generate enough electricity to supply the equivalent of 450,000 French households annually.

The aid will be granted through a non-discriminatory bidding process, with one beneficiary selected for each of the three offshore zones. The tender will include "resilience" as a prequalification and award criterion, with the stated aim of diversifying the supply chains for wind turbines and their main components to reduce dependency on imports from China.

The financial support will take the form of a monthly variable premium under a two-way contract for difference. The subsidy was approved under the EU's new clean industrial deal state aid framework, which was adopted on June 25, 2025, to foster support for sectors key to the “clean energy transition”.