GE Energy is supplying 30 wind turbines for two projects in France that will total 45 megawatts of new wind power capacity, representing an increase of almost 20% in the country's installed wind capacity.
In 2003, France increased its capacity for wind-generated electricity by 91 megawatts, bringing the total installed capacity to 239 megawatts. The French government is supporting wind power development with fixed tariffs for wind-powered electricity, and has set a goal of 5,000 megawatts of capacity by the year 2010.
GE is supplying its 1.5-megawatt wind turbines for both projects. The first project, La Haute Lys, is one of the first large French installations of wind turbines, and will be located in four municipal areas in northern France: Fauquembergues, Renty-Audincthun, Reclinghem and Vincly.
The project owner is Sechilienne-Sidec, a holding company that is part of the Air Liquide Group of France. Project developers are Cegelec, France's largest electrical engineering contractor; and Espace Eolien Developpement, a leading French wind project developer. Project completion is expected by the fourth quarter of 2004.
The second project, Sortosville-Les Beaumont, is located in the Cotentin area on the west coast of France. The project owner is CEPE du Cotentin, and the developer is EOLE-RES, one of the largest French development companies. EOLE-RES is the result of an alliance between French developer EOLE Technologie and Renewable Energy Systems, a leader in wind power development with more than 20 wind farms and 700 megawatts of installed capacity throughout the world. Project completion is expected by June of 2004.
Both of the new projects will provide power to Electricite de France (EDF), the French national electricity supplier.
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