France is preparing a major offshore wind auction combining fixed-bottom and floating projects totalling 10GW, with winners to be announced by late 2026 or early 2027.

The country’s Ministry for Energy Affairs confirmed that 5GW will come from bottom-fixed turbines and another 5GW from floating wind. Projects will be distributed across seven maritime zones in the English Channel, Atlantic Ocean, and the Mediterranean Sea.

Energy Minister Delegate Maud Brégeon said the tender was designed both to scale capacity and secure European manufacturing. She stated that up to four of the nine key turbine components and up to 50% of permanent magnets may come from China, reflecting an effort to curb foreign dependence.

Developers are expected to receive guaranteed tariffs below €100 ($115) per MWh. Officials acknowledged recent cost pressures in the offshore wind sector and said that lessons from last year’s failed Oleron Island tender will inform the new process. The site will also be reopened as part of the upcoming round.

The French Renewable Energy Association welcomed the merger of the country’s ninth and tenth tenders (AO9 and AO10) into a single large-scale auction.

“SER welcomes the government’s desire to preserve the volumetric ambition of the Offshore Wind Pact and asks that the merger be implemented as soon as possible so as not to jeopardise the allocation of lots at the beginning of 2027,” the association said.

The tender aligns with France’s new Multi-Year Energy Programme, launched in February, which sets long-term goals for renewable energy expansion.

France currently has almost 2GW of offshore wind capacity in operation and 5.6GW under construction or development. It’s aiming for 15 GW of offshore turbines in 2035 and 45GW in operation in 2050, which would supply about 20% of the country’s needs.

“We are particularly encouraged by the minister’s clear statement that priority will be given to components manufactured in Europe. This announcement provides a clear pipeline and visibility on volumes that the entire industry has been calling for,” said Paul de la Guérivière, BW Ideol CEO.