Charles Guyard, edited by Yanis Darras 07:58, September 22, 2022

Gain sovereignty and catch up with France in terms of renewable energies.

This is the objective of the offshore wind farm in Saint-Nazaire, which should come into service by the end of 2022. If the construction site is progressing well, the inhabitants of the coast are bewildered by the size of the wind turbines, very visible in clear weather.

It must produce 20% of the department's electricity.

With its 80 wind turbines 200 meters high, the Saint-Nazaire offshore park, the first of its kind in France, will be commissioned at the end of 2022. Good news that should boost electricity production from wind power in France, the wind being stronger and more regular at sea than on land.

But the inhabitants of Batz-sur-Mer in Loire-Atlantique grimace.

Located just 12 kilometers from the coast, the wind farm spoils their view of the sea. 

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Clearly visible wind turbines

"What we like is the immensity of the ocean, the horizon with the curve of the earth, the panorama", explains Christian, who settled in the town a few years ago.

But the clear view he had is now hampered by wind turbines in the offshore park.

On a clear day, we now only see that, point the finger at the inhabitants.

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Contrary to what was announced at the start of the project, the wind turbines do not really blend into the landscape.

“We really take our eyes off them,” explains the assistant for town planning and the environment, Bruno Schmit.

"That's not what we were told. We were told that they would be as thin as a match that you hold out to your fingertips. That's not the case at all. And now , we end up with a row of wind turbines clearly visible", he underlines. 

"A bad for a good"

This damage would therefore deserve, according to the town hall, compensation greater than the annual €277,000 provided for by the clearing house.

Despite this, in the most impacted municipality on the coast, we also know how to make allowances.

"It's ugly, but hey, it's a blessing in disguise," quips a resident of the town. 

And along the French coasts, locals and tourists will have to get used to seeing offshore wind turbines.

The government aims to install around fifty offshore parks by 2050.