Centre Manche Énergies, a project company wholly owned by TotalEnergies, has reached a major milestone in the development of France’s largest renewable energy project by submitting its application for a Single Authorization permit for the planned 1.5-gigawatt offshore wind farm located off the coast of Normandy. The submission comes eight months after the project was awarded by the French government and represents a significant advancement in the regulatory and development process. The permit application initiates the next phase of project evaluation and brings the offshore wind development closer to realization.
The proposed offshore wind farm will be situated more than 40 kilometers from the Normandy coastline and is expected to become the largest renewable energy facility ever developed in France. Once operational, the project is projected to generate approximately 6 terawatt-hours of renewable electricity annually, providing enough clean energy to meet the needs of more than one million French households.
The authorization dossier includes a comprehensive package of technical, environmental and engineering studies prepared in accordance with national regulatory requirements. The submission also contains the preliminary design of the offshore wind farm, installation methodologies and a detailed environmental impact assessment.
Project developers conducted extensive technical and environmental analyses during the preparation phase, incorporating findings from scientific studies, consultations with government agencies and feedback from regional stakeholders. The environmental assessment reflects a collaborative approach aimed at ensuring responsible project development while addressing ecological, social and maritime considerations.
With the permit application now submitted, the project enters a new stage involving review and evaluation by relevant government authorities. During this period, Centre Manche Énergies will continue engagement with local communities, elected representatives, environmental organizations, maritime users and other stakeholders to support successful project integration within the Normandy region.
The offshore wind development represents an investment of approximately €4.5 billion and is expected to deliver substantial economic benefits both locally and nationally. During the three-year construction phase, the project is anticipated to support up to 2,500 jobs, creating significant employment opportunities across engineering, construction, logistics and related sectors.
The initiative is also expected to strengthen Normandy’s growing offshore wind industry, building on expertise already established within the region. Local businesses and service providers are expected to play an important role throughout project execution, contributing to regional economic development and industrial growth.
In addition to its regional impact, the project is expected to provide important opportunities for European manufacturing and supply chains. TotalEnergies plans to source a significant portion of key components from European suppliers, particularly in areas such as wind turbine manufacturing and electrical cable production.
As France continues its transition toward a lower-carbon energy system, the Centre Manche offshore wind project represents a major contribution to national renewable energy goals and long-term energy security. The development underscores the growing role of offshore wind power in supporting sustainable electricity generation while fostering industrial investment, job creation and regional economic growth.
