Home to the first French offshore wind farm, the Atlantic France region is positioning itself as a national leader in marine energy. Download our study to learn more about the sector’s stakes and opportunities.
Atlantic France is at the forefront of marine renewable energies and leads the way in France. Since 2021, it has consistently ranked as the top region across all key economic criteria, including the number of jobs, sales, and investments.
Key figures of marine renewables in Atlantic France
jobs, representing 33% of total national employment in the sector
French Region in terms of the number of jobs, sales, and investments
floating wind turbine and 1st offshore wind farm in France
A mix of major business leaders and innovative startups
Atlantic France companies span the entire value chain:
- Research and development
- Studies and measurements
- Manufacturing and assembly
- Transport and logistics
- Offshore construction and operations
- Support services
- Operations and maintenance
International groups are established in the area, such as GE which assembles the nacelles for the Haliade wind turbines near Saint-Nazaire (including the Haliade X, the most powerful wind turbine in the world). Additionally, Rollix Defontaine, a leading supplier of blade crowns and nacelles, is located in Vendée, and Chantiers de l’Atlantique in Saint-Nazaire have created the unit Atlantique Offshore Energy to diversify into constructing offshore electrical substations.
Dynamic SMEs and startups have also chosen Atlantic France as a hub to develop their innovative technologies. Examples include GEPS Techno with its wave-powered platform, Akrocean specialising in oceanographic data, Farwind with its sailboat-hydro turbine project, and Lhyfe focusing on offshore hydrogen production.
High-end infrastructure, networks, and talent for marine renewables businesses
Atlantic France offers a unique landscape for the blossoming of marine renewables projects. The region relies on Nantes Saint-Nazaire Port which is developing infrastructures dedicated to offshore wind energy and cutting-edge test facilities such as the offshore site SemRev and the ocean tanks of Centrale Nantes.
Businesses setting up in the region can also easily connect with peers, suppliers, and potential clients thanks to various clusters and collaborative networks: Weamec, Pôle Mer Bretagne Atlantique, EMC2, Neopolia EMR, S2e2, and PASCA.
Last but not least, academic players have adapted their offer to meet the needs of this new industry. Many schools and universities are dedicating research programmes to marine renewables, and 88 training courses in this field, from youth training to PhDs, have been identified within the Weamec ecosystem.
Are you a business specialising in marine renewables? Contact us to learn more about the opportunities awaiting you in Atlantic France or download our latest white paper on the regional ecosystem.