TotalEnergies has filed the Single Authorisation application for its 1.5 GW Centre Manche Energies offshore wind project, marking a major milestone in the development of what is set to become France’s largest renewable energy project.
Located more than 40 km off the Normandy coast, the offshore wind farm is expected to generate around 6 TWh of electricity annually, supplying renewable power to more than one million French homes once operational.
The authorisation filing comes eight months after the French State awarded the project to TotalEnergies’ wholly owned project company, Centre Manche Energies.
Offshore Wind Project Moves into Regulatory Review Phase
The authorisation application includes technical and environmental studies, a preliminary wind farm design and the proposed installation program.
According to the company, the environmental impact assessment incorporates findings from technical surveys, consultations with government departments and feedback gathered during stakeholder engagement across the region.
“We are delighted to have filed for authorisation and to have reached this major milestone for Centre Manche Energies. We would like to thank our technical partners and regional stakeholders, as well as the authorities, for their hard work,” said Thierry Muller, Project Director for Centre Manche Energies.
“We intend to continue developing this competitive, value-creating project for Normandy, which will provide renewable electricity to nearly one million French homes.”
The project now enters the next phase of the permitting process, including completion of the dossier and formal government examination.
Regional Stakeholder Engagement Remains Central to Development
Alongside regulatory review, Centre Manche Energies said it will continue consultation with local officials, environmental organisations, seafarers and regional communities as the project advances.
The company stated that ongoing engagement is intended to support integration of the offshore wind development into the local economy and community.
The project is expected to generate significant economic activity during construction, with up to 2,500 jobs anticipated over the planned three-year build phase.
TotalEnergies also said it intends to utilise local offshore wind expertise and prioritise European suppliers for major components including wind turbines and electric cables.
Offshore Wind Expansion Supports TotalEnergies’ Renewable Energy Strategy
The Centre Manche Energies development forms part of TotalEnergies’ broader expansion of renewable electricity generation capacity in France and internationally.
Since 2020, TotalEnergies said it has invested several billion euros in France, with nearly half supporting the energy transition of its operations and customers.
The company’s French renewables portfolio currently includes 420 wind, solar, hydropower and battery storage facilities representing more than 2 GW of installed capacity.
By the end of April 2026, TotalEnergies reported holding almost 36 GW of gross renewable power generation capacity globally and aims to achieve more than 100 TWh of net electricity production by 2030.
The company electricity strategy combines renewable generation assets with flexible infrastructure including storage and combined-cycle gas turbine facilities to deliver clean firm power.
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