CISAF: Commission approves EUR 63 billion French State aid to support offshore wind energy
The scheme was approved on 25 June 2025 under the Clean Industrial Deal State Aid Framework (CISAF).
The measure will support the construction and operation of eleven offshore wind farms, in the North Sea, the Atlantic and the Mediterranean. The windfarms are expected to have a combined capacity of up to 11.1 GW and to generate up to 47.8 TWh of renewable electricity per year, or around 10.6% of France’s annual electricity consumption.
The aid will be granted through a transparent and non-discriminatory bidding process. It will take the form of a variable premium under a two-way contract for difference (‘CfD’), which will be calculated by comparing a reference price, determined in the tender offer of the beneficiary (‘pay as bid’), to the market price for electricity. When the market price is below the reference price, the beneficiaries will receive the difference between the two prices. When the market price is above the reference price, the beneficiaries will have to pay the difference to the French authorities.
The Commission concluded that the scheme was necessary, appropriate and proportionate.
For further information, see the Commission’s PR.