A floating wind turbine (illustration) -

SEBASTIEN SALOM GOMIS / SIPA

  • In 2022, the first two “pilot farms” of floating wind turbines in Occitania will be put into service, off Leucate and Gruissan, in Aude.

  • With the aim of initiating the ecological transition and lowering bills.

  • But associations fear for the preservation of marine fauna and for fishermen, whose fishing grounds will be removed.

For several years, the Occitania region has dreamed of floating wind power.

Monday, in Marseille (Bouches-du-Rhône), at the opening of the International Meetings of Floating Offshore Wind Farm, its president, Carole Delga (PS) once again said her determination to see such wind farms grow in the Gulf. of the Lion.

"With the objective of 3 gigawatts of floating offshore wind installed by 2050, that is to say the equivalent of an average power of three reactors of a nuclear power plant", committed the elected.

A sector of the future, in @Occitanie, floating offshore wind power is already concrete!


Next year, #PortLaNouvelle will assemble the first wind turbines and, from 2022, the pilot sites off #Gruissan and # Leucate- # Barcarès will be operational. # FOWT2020 # LaRégionPositive pic.twitter.com/IM758FAE60

- Carole Delga (@CaroleDelga) September 7, 2020

Launched by the region, the restructuring of the port of Port-la-Nouvelle (Aude), imagined as the nerve center of wind power in the Mediterranean, will allow, from 2021, the construction, assembly and maintenance of wind turbines.

In 2022, two “pilot farms” will be put into service, off Leucate and Gruissan.

"Become the first positive energy region in Europe"

"The region is committed to its trajectory: to become the first positive energy region in Europe," explains Agnès Langevine (EELV), vice-president of the region in charge of ecological transition.

We have drawn up a scenario on sobriety and energetic efficiency, and the development of renewable energies.

Also, in Occitania, we have very significant deposits of wind.

"

And even the best windy spot in the Mediterranean, kite surfers won't say the opposite.

Perfect for developing wind power.

Earthly ?

Too many "tensions in the territories", continues the elected ecologist.

The Occitania region has thus set its sights on floating offshore wind power, which is still in its infancy.

“This will make it possible to produce renewable energy, to get out of fossil fuels, hydrocarbons, nuclear energy, and fight against global warming,” continues Agnès Langevine.

Coupled with an energy renovation plan, this also represents a reduction in the energy bill for citizens.

And not just for Occitans.

"We must wait to have real experience feedback"

But the enthusiasm of the Occitanie region for offshore floating wind turbines is not shared by all.

For the collective TNE (All our energies) Occitanie Environnement, which brings together 140 associations, the community is rushing.

For Bruno Ladsous, “you have to do things in order”.

“We have to wait for real experience feedback,” explains the co-secretary of the environmental collective.

Because floating wind power is a problem for fishermen, to whom fishing grounds will be removed.

There has to be an agreement with fishing professionals.

And it is a scandal for the preservation of marine fauna.

It is also necessary to stop the machines during the migratory period, to protect the circulating species.

And position the wind turbines far enough from the coast so that they do not harm local residents and tourism.

We do not have the right to damage such a magnificent area.

"

"The climate is urgent"

According to Agnès Langevine, the two winners of the pilot farm calls for tenders have produced "a lot of studies" on the environmental impact of such projects.

“We are following this very closely,” notes the elected official.

It is true that we still need to gain expertise on the impact on biodiversity and marine ecosystems.

Next year, the state will launch a large-scale study on this subject.

So if the impact hasn't actually been measured, why not wait a bit?

"Because the sector needs visibility, because the climate is urgent," replied the vice-president of the region.

As for the dialogue with the fishermen, it is already open, she continues.

All the actors of the sea were thus able to work together, notes Agnès Langevine, in particular on the definition of the zones where the wind turbines will be installed, during the Parliament of the sea.

Planet

Apple to install two of the world's largest wind turbines in Denmark

Planet

Saint-Brieuc: The fishermen wind up against the future marine wind farm

  • renewable energy

  • Languedoc-Roussillon

  • Toulouse

  • Montpellier

  • Planet

  • Wind turbine