In an interview with the Reuters, Jouanno said the first series of requests would be for proposals to provide 3 GW of capacity as France seeks to develop and gain experience in offshore wind technology.
“It will be this week or next, it is imminent,” she told the news service.
Jouanno also indicated the France will launch a second tender for another series of offshore wind farms of the same size at a later date. Both tenders are aimed at helping France reach its goal of 6 GW of wind energy production by 2020.
Offshore wind farm development in France has been slow, in part because the legal framework which applies to offshore economic activity is not adapted to wind energy.
Preparation for the first offshore wind farm in France began with a government tender in 2005, but due to long authorization procedures, construction has been delayed and is now scheduled to start at the end of the year.
Ministry officials have indicated that about 10 locations have been identified in the English Channel, the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea, and that investment for the first 3 GW of capacity could reach €10 billion ($14 billion).
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