Siemens Gamesa to Invest €200 Million in Le Havre Plant to Manufacture World’s Longest Wind Turbine Blades
Le Havre, France – Siemens Gamesa, a leading global wind turbine manufacturer, has announced a €200 million investment to expand its Le Havre plant in France, where it will produce some of the longest wind turbine blades in the world. The project is part of a broader effort to bolster Europe’s wind turbine manufacturing capabilities and compete with China.
Investing in Local Production
The Le Havre plant was inaugurated in 2022 and currently produces 75- and 81-meter-long blades and assembles nacelles for 7- and 8-MW wind turbines. It supplies five French offshore wind farms, both in construction (Courseulles-sur-mer, Yeu-Noirmoutier, Dieppe-Le Tréport) and in operation (Fécamp, Saint Brieuc).
The expansion, scheduled for completion in 2026, will "take offshore wind to a new dimension" by manufacturing blades that are 115 meters long, according to Siemens Gamesa, a subsidiary of German energy giant Siemens Energy formed from the merger of Siemens Wind Power and Gamesa.
World-Leading Technology
"With a 236-meter rotor and a power output of 14 MW, this sixth generation of Siemens Gamesa machines will be among the most powerful in the world," the company said.
Yara Chaktoura, President of Siemens France, stated that the project "allows France and Europe to remain at the heart of the development, manufacturing, and installation of our offshore wind turbines."
Public Support and Global Competition
The project has received nearly €170 million in public support: €35 million from European funds, €80 million from local authorities, and €54 million in tax credits.
Minister of Energy Marc Ferracci acknowledged the "fierce and sometimes unfair competition" from China without explicitly naming the country. "France’s position is clear: Europe must prepare to retaliate and arm itself. We must do more to support our industries and our jobs," he said, calling for the inclusion of European preference in public procurement.
Ferracci announced the introduction of "resilience criteria in future calls for tenders" to promote "local industrial content and the purchase of turbines manufactured in Europe and France." These eligibility and selection criteria will be implemented "as of this year."
Benefits for the French Economy
The Le Havre expansion is expected to create 2,500 direct and indirect jobs during the construction phase and 750 permanent jobs once operational. It will also contribute to the development of a French offshore wind industry cluster, involving local companies and suppliers.
The project is seen as a strategic move for France and Europe to strengthen their position in the global wind energy market and reduce their dependence on imported technology. By investing in local manufacturing, Siemens Gamesa aims to ensure that the country remains a key player in the rapidly growing offshore wind sector.
