The EU Commission has approved a EUR63bn French scheme to support offshore wind energy (EU Commission press release, 13/07/2026). The scheme is planned to run for 25 years to support the construction and operation of 11 offshore wind projects in the North Sea, the Atlantic and the Mediterranean. The projects are expected to have a combined capacity of 11.1 GW and once operational they should generate up to 47.8 TWh/year of renewable electricity, or about 10.6% of France’s annual electricity consumption.
The grant will be provided through a transparent and non-discriminatory bidding process, organised by French authorities. The aid will represent a variable premium under a two-way contract for difference (CfD) calculated by comparing a reference price, determined in the tender offer of the beneficiary (pay as bid) to the market price for electricity.
The scheme was approved under the Clean Industrial Deal State Aid Framework (CISAF) adopted by the Commission on 25 June 2025 and is expected to contribute to the transition towards a net-zero economy.
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