Total, Simply Blue Energy form offshore wind JV

France’s Total and UK-based Simply Blue Energy have formed Blue Gem Wind, a new joint venture company that will develop offshore wind projects in the Celtic Sea off Wales.

The joint venture’s first project will be Total’s Erebus 96MW demonstration wind farm, which will be installed in water depths of 70 metres some 45 kilometres off Pembroke. Blue Gem Wind will acquire an 80 per cent stake in the project.

The Erebus development will be Total’s first ever offshore wind project. It is expected to generate first power in the mid-2020s.