First CISAF Approval: EUR 11 billion French State aid scheme to support offshore wind energy
The Commission has approved a EUR 11 billion French scheme which will be running for 20 years to support the construction and operation of three floating offshore wind farms (one off Southern Brittany and two in the Mediterranean). Each will have a capacity of 500 MW, producing enough electricity to power around 450,000 households annually. Aid will be granted via a competitive bidding process, with resilience and supply chain diversification as key criteria.
The Commission confirmed that the French support scheme meets the criteria of the Clean Industrial Deal State Aid Framework (CISAF), specifically sections 3 and 4.1.2, as the aid takes the form of direct price support via a two-way contract for difference (CfD) awarded through a transparent, non-discriminatory competitive bidding process.
In its assessment, the Commission concluded that the scheme is necessary, appropriate, and proportionate to accelerate the EU’s transition to a net-zero economy and to support key activities aligned with the Clean Industrial Deal.
For more information, see the Commission’s PR.