Business
Saying goodbye to a remarkable 2024... excited for a promising 2025!
Thanks to all of you for a remarkable 2024 at OW!!
This past year, thanks to our collective enthusiasm, talent, and shared commitment, we have achieved key milestones and advanced on the successful delivery of our projects.
2024 was defined by the expansion of our portfolio with new projects in Australia and France, the advanced simultaneous construction of our four (four!) projects in the UK and France, while continuing to successfully operate three projects, with others advancing towards FID!
Thank you all for your tremendous effort, and let’s keep working together to continue grOWing in 2025!
Watch the video! 👉
Projects
Making waves in France with new floating wind project!
In case you missed it, we closed out 2024 with a bang! In December of last year, in partnership with Banque des Territoires, OW was awarded the Éoliennes Flottantes d’Occitanie (EFLO) project in the Gulf of Lion, Mediterranean Sea! As part of the AO6 tender, this floating wind project will represent an installed capacity of 250 MW, capable of producing 1 TWh of clean electricity annually— that’s enough to power nearly 500,000 people in the Occitanie region.
Building on the learnings of our nearby EFGL pilot project currently under construction, this achievement reflects the French Government’s trust in OW as a leader in offshore wind energy. With 5 million working hours expected during development and construction, EFLO is set to boost local employment while contributing significantly to the region’s energy transition goals.
Marc Hirt, our Country Manager for France, proudly shares, “This project reinforces our contribution to France’s energy transition and the Occitanie’s region 2050. We look forward to continuing our collaboration with Banque des Territoires, the actors of the Occitanie region, as well as the fisheries, other sea users, and environmental experts with whom we worked closely during the preparation of the bid and the development of the EFGL project, to ensure the safe, efficient, and timely delivery of this project.”
As always, our success is rooted in collaboration. A big shoutout to the teams who worked diligently to prepare the best bid! Together, we’re not just building renewable energy infrastructure—we’re shaping the future of energy in France and beyond.
Nacelles for EMYN arrive in Saint-Nazaire!
Earlier this month, in the Loire Estuary, we marked a step forward for our EMYN project with the arrival of the first turbine nacelles by cargo ship in Saint-Nazaire.
After closing out 2024 with the delivery of the first blades manufactured in Le Havre by Siemens Gamesa, we’re kicking off 2025 strong with these essential components. Their arrival signals significant progress for EMYN, which is currently under construction and moving steadily towards commissioning for the end of this year.
Together, once operational, these 61 turbines will be powerful enough to supply clean to approximately 800,000 people, exceeding the total population of Vendée – the region in France where the project is based. This is a critical step forward in France’s energy transition.
A huge thank you to our teams whose dedication and hard work are making EMYN a flagship project for France’s renewable energy future. Let’s keep up the momentum!
SouthCoast Wind receives COP approval
After years of unwavering commitment and effort, we are proud to announce that SouthCoast Wind has received its Construction and Operations Plan (COP) approval from the federal Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM).
This achievement is a testament to the extraordinary dedication of our teams, successfully navigating the complexities of the permitting and consenting process. Your commitment and professionalism remain at the core of our progress, even amidst a shifting political landscape.
Our Project Director for SouthCoast Wind Micheal Brown comments, “receiving today’s final Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) approval keeps SouthCoast Wind on track to delivering reliable, domestic energy to New England’s homes and businesses. We are grateful to BOEM for their diligent and rigorous review of SouthCoast Wind, and to the many supporters and community members that participated throughout the federal permitting process. SouthCoast Wind will create thousands of union jobs over the life of the project and generate $3.8 billion in new economic activity.”
The COP was issued on the last day of the Biden administration. As we continue to monitor the implications of recent announcements and executive orders by the new administration, we are focused on finding a way forward by working closely with all relevant authorities.
To our teams—thank you for your invaluable contribution to this journey so far. This milestone would not have been possible without your expertise, collaboration, and teamwork.
In the Spotlight!
This month, we want to put on the Spotlight the new OW Skills Development Report!
This document details the range of externally supported and internally driven skills initiatives designed to stimulate interest in the offshore wind sector, demonstrating OW’s commitment to promote and ensure opportunities for domestic job creation and growth are not lost through skills gaps.
Picture of the month
After 77 days at sea, skipper Benjamin Dutreux, sponsored by our Îles d’Yeu & Noirmoutier project, finished 10th in the iconic Vendée Globe race!
OW’s Global Presence
Starting the year with some key industry events!
We started the month in Ireland, with the 2025 Wind Energy Ireland Annual Conference! OW together with our joint venture partner, Bord na Móna, were proud sponsors of the Research Poster Event, a key research element of the event that provides a great opportunity for researchers & students to showcase innovative research in front of industry leaders, policymakers, and academics; gain visibility and connect with experts across the renewables sector and be part of Ireland’s leading platform for renewable energy innovation.
This year the award was for Anthony Gibbons, who presented ‘Using generative AI to improve bird call classification at wind farms’!
Following this success, our teammates in UK attended the Scottish Renewables Offshore Wind Conference 2025 in Glasgow! This key national event was a great opportunity to showcase OW advancements, discuss supply chain enhancements, and share our insights on overcoming barriers to deployment in Scotland and the UK.
Moreover, we had the opportunity to showcase our expertise and the progress of our portfolio through key panel discussions, including Adam Morrison (UK Country Manager), Mark Baxter (Project Director for Caledonia), Peter Haughie (EPCI Associate Director for Moray West), and Lynsey Shovlin (Supply Chain Senior Associate for Caledonia), thanks for representing OW!
Lastly, during the event, the new Skills Development Report was presented, which attracted many visitors to our stand!
Lastly, our Polish team participated in the Energy Security Congress in Warsaw, a key event focused on protecting critical energy infrastructure. The forum gathered a diverse group, including policymakers, defense leaders, and offshore wind developers, to discuss safeguarding maritime infrastructure and regional energy resilience. Kacper Kostrzewa, our Project Director at BC-Wind, highlighted the complexities of offshore wind development, emphasizing that security is a core focus integrated from the early stages of project development.
What’s new in offshore?
Did you hear? Portugal approves new offshore wind resolution!
Starting the new year with some new regulations in Portugal! Earlier this month, the Portuguese government approved the Allocation Plan for Offshore Renewable Energies (PAER in PT), defining key coastal areas for offshore wind and paving the way for upcoming auctions. This step supports 2GW of capacity by 2030, promoting energy independence, decarbonization, and a sustainable blue economy.
Key features of future tenders include:
- Competitive auctions prioritizing price, innovation, and expertise.
- Strategic zones like Viana do Castelo and Figueira da Foz.
- Strict environmental standards and strong community engagement.
So, what does this mean for us here at OW? Well, with our floating wind expertise and strong track record in stakeholder collaboration, we are ready to compete in these auctions and support Portugal renewable ambitions. Until then, we will continue advocating for the benefits of floating wind in deep waters, engaging with stakeholders to address concerns, and aligning with environmental and social priorities.
Let’s keep shaping the future—together as #OneTeam!
People
2025 ‘People Meet People’ training for our latest joiners!
Building on insights from the last Engagement Survey action plan, OW remains committed to strengthening internal communication of its Employee Value Proposition and promoting greater transparency in People-related processes. Following the success of last year’s first “People Meet People” sessions, the People team has launched its 2025 edition!
Between January and February, the People team hosted five sessions spanning two countries, specifically designed to engage and welcome new hires who joined OW in the past year. With the participation of 98 people, these sessions aimed to foster connection, provide clarity on OW’s organizational structure, and enhance understanding of People-related initiatives in a transparent and approachable way.
This initiative has continued to be a resounding success, reflected in the positive feedback received. “People Meet People” not only reinforces OW’s dedication to listening to employees but also ensures that this feedback is translated into meaningful actions that drive engagement and strengthen the organizational culture.
We would like to thank you all for participating in these training sessions!
Communications
Harnessing the power of partnerships – The golden trio: EMYN, Vendée Globe and Benjamin Dutreux
We’re starting the year by spotlighting the incredible work of our French team at our Îles d’Yeu & Noirmoutier (EMYN) project, who is a proud partner of the Vendée Globe—the world’s most prestigious solo, non-stop, unassisted sailing race and skipper Benjamin Durtreux. He just hit dry land in 10th place out of 40 less than a week ago after 77 days out at sea. Talk about a hero’s return!
Besides the excitement of the race, what makes this partnership so special?
- A strategic commitment since 2012: As part of its bid, EMYN pledged to sponsor the Vendée Globe for the entirety of project’s lifespan, recognizing the race’s cultural significance and its ability to connect with the region.
- Deep regional engagement: The Vendée Globe showcases the Vendée department and Pays de la Loire region on the international stage while highlighting the alignment of offshore wind energy with local maritime heritage.
- A personal connection with Benjamin Dutreux: EMYN has proudly supported Benjamin, a Vendée native and skipper, since 2015 as he reflects our shared commitment to the ocean and local community.
What does this mean for OW and EMYN? Sponsoring the Vendée Globe aligns EMYN with an event deeply rooted in the region’s identity, strengthening our visibility while reinforcing the coexistence of offshore wind and maritime culture. By the end of the year, EMYN is expected to provide clean energy to nearly 800,000 people—the equivalent of the Vendée population—demonstrating the real-world impact of offshore wind on local communities. Beyond energy, the Vendée Globe highlights EMYN’s broader contribution to the region’s economy and cultural dynamism, with every €1 invested in the event generating €5 for the local territory.
Between our partnerships with ambassadors like Benjamin Dutreux in France and local initiatives in other regions, we’re #ProudtobeOW as we continue to showcase the value of offshore wind worldwide!
Find the full case study here!
LinkedIn post of the month
At OW, we are proud to be an active part of the fight against climate change, providing clean, renewable energy to all! Did you see our post this week? 👀👇
