The floating foundation is based on a semi-submersible floater, designed to be competitive, adapted
to mass production, easily towable, connectable and dis-connectable, and adaptable to site
conditions & local industrial environments.
This approval was provided as part of the General Electric (ex-Alstom) and DCNS Energies Sea Reed
project, a FOWT product development initiative supported by ADEME, the French Environment and
Energy Management Agency.
Thierry Kalanquin, Chief Executive Officer, DCNS Energies, commented, ‘The approval by Bureau
Veritas of our latest foundation design is a step forward towards the development of our global
industrial and integrated FOWT solutions. This certification granted by an independent and reputable
international certification agency proves the maturity and seriousness of our solution. It also
validates our system in the short-term for our ongoing projects, in France and in the United States
but also in the mid and long term for our future commercial farms projects all around the world.’
A Preliminary Design Approval for Bureau Veritas implies that the Basis of Design has been approved.
The design is feasible, achievable, and contains no technological show-stoppers that may prevent the
design from being matured. Bureau Veritas engineers verified design methodologies, covering
hydrodynamics, structure, stability and electricity. They also checked that the design is deemed to be
suitable for use in all phases of operation including in-transit to field, installation and commissioning
as well as providing recommendations through subsequent phases of the project.
Matthieu de Tugny, COO, Senior Vice-President and Head of Offshore, Bureau Veritas, commented,
‘We are seeing increasing interest in FOWT technology as demand for wind power increases. FOWTs,
fabricated onshore, can be installed in deep water and variable seafloor topographies. ’Because of
their low environmental impact during installation and application in deeper waters, we can see that
demand for FOWTs will grow. ‘
Cooperation between Bureau Veritas and DCNS Energies in the floating offshore wind sector will
continue to grow with floating wind project planned to be deployed between the Groix & Belle-Ile
Islands. The array will comprise four 6MW GE Haliade turbines, installed on a hybrid version (steel &
concrete) of DCNS Energies floating foundations. Bureau Veritas has been awarded for the whole
Project Certification of the floating wind array, covering the different project phases: site conditions
assessment, design evaluation, manufacturing, transportation and commissioning surveillance. The
units are expected to be operational in 2020.
About DCNS Energies
DCNS Energies is a world leader in Marine Renewable Energies (MRE) and a supplier of turnkey energy
generating systems. Present throughout the product lifecycle, DCNS Energies controls the entire value chain,
from design to manufacturing, installation, connection and maintenance, with respect for the environment, at
sea and in coastal areas. Its expertise is rooted in particular in the historic skills of DCNS, a specialist in the
production of complex systems for the maritime environment.