GDF SUEZ, VINCI, CDC Infrastructure and their partner AREVA mobilized for offshore wind power in Normandy

In Normandy today, GDF SUEZ Chairman and CEO Gérard Mestrallet, VINCI CEO Xavier Huillard, CDC Infrastructure CEO Jean Bensaïd and AREVA CEO Luc Oursel highlighted their energy, economic and social plan connected with the call for bids to site 3,000 MW of wind power off France’s coasts starting in 2015. They were greeted during the day by Le Havre Mayor and metropolitan area Chairman Edouard Philippe, by Alain Le Vern, Chairman of the Haute-Normandy Regional Council, and by local and regional elected representatives.

On this occasion, AREVA, as industrial partner of the consortium formed by GDF SUEZ, VINCI and CDC Infrastructure for the three zones in Normandy – Dieppe-Le Tréport, Fécamp and Courseulles-sur-Mer – gave details of its industrial plan and, together with Gilles Fournier, Chairman of the Supervisory Board of the Port of Le Havre Authority, presented the 50-hectare site selected in the port area to host new offshore wind turbine manufacturing plants.

Were the consortium to be the successful bidder on the three Norman areas, it would mobilize up to 6,000 jobs with its industrial partner. More than 400 skilled jobs would also be created over the 20 years of operation in the ports of Fécamp, Dieppe, Le Tréport and Ouistreham. The consortium is also committed to creating a sustainable manufacturing industry that creates jobs in Normandy. It has already met more than 80 local companies of the 300 identified, particularly in the coastal areas concerned in Normandy and Picardy.

Gérard Mestrallet, Chairman and CEO of GDF SUEZ commented that “As the wind energy leader in France, we wish to develop this far-reaching wind project in the sea of Normandy with our partners and contribute to the emergence of a French manufacturing industry. GDF SUEZ is committed to the industrial development of this region, where it is already a very strong player and partner to more than 1,500 small businesses and industries.”

Xavier Huillard, CEO of VINCI said “To be ready for the new energy and industrial adventure that is beginning in France, VINCI is contributing the performance of its model to this complex project. We bring our skills to the consortium for the project financing, the design, the construction of the foundations and the installation and maintenance at sea of components of the wind farm with a sustainable commitment towards the local territories. This is a major asset that makes our offer particularly solid from an economic and social point of view and technically well-rounded.”

Jean Bensaïd, CEO of the Caisse des Dépôts Infrastructure stated that “This project is a remarkable opportunity both to contribute to France’s industrial development and to anchor its achievement in regional economic activity, working towards sustainable territorial development. We are completely involved alongside our partners.”                    

Luc Oursel, CEO of AREVA noted that “Eight years after installing our first land-based prototype, our offshore wind turbine is now mass-produced for the needs of several major European projects. Armed with this success and allied with first-rate partners, AREVA is ready to deploy its ambitious industrial plan, which makes Normandy the beachhead for the development of a French offshore wind industry." 

About GDF SUEZ
GDF SUEZ develops its businesses around a model based on responsible growth to take up today’s major energy and environmental challenges: meeting energy needs, ensuring the security of supply, combating climate change and optimizing the use of resources. The Group provides highly efficient and innovative solutions to individuals, cities and businesses by relying on diversified gas-supply sources, flexible and low-emission power generation as well as unique expertise in four key sectors: liquefied natural gas, energy efficiency services, independent power production and environmental services. GDF SUEZ employs 218,900 people worldwide and achieved revenues of €90.7 billion in 2011. The Group is listed on the Brussels, Luxembourg and Paris stock exchanges and is represented in the main international indices: CAC 40, BEL 20, DJ Stoxx 50, DJ Euro Stoxx 50, Euronext 100, FTSE Eurotop 100, MSCI Europe, ASPI Eurozone and ECPI Ethical Index EMU. www.gdfsuez.com

About VINCI
VINCI is the world leader in concessions and construction, employing close to 180,000 people in some 100 countries. We design, build, finance and manage facilities that improve everyday life: the systems that transport us, the public and private buildings in which we live and work, the urban developments that create and improve our communities, and the water, energy and communication networks vital to human existence. As a private sector company contributing to the development of society, VINCI successfully blends a business focus on today’s priorities with the long-term sustainability of its accomplishments and integrated concessions-construction business model. www.vinci.com

About CDC infrastructure
CDC Infrastructure, a wholly owned subsidiary of Caisse des Dépôts, provides long-term investment in infrastructures. This company is involved both in infrastructures that are already in service and in new projects that are financed, in particular, through public-private partnerships (PPP) or concessions. CDC Infrastructure is aiming to achieve a portfolio of EUR1500 million by 2014. It is based in 4 sectors: transport, energy, telecoms and environment. The company already holds shares in GRTgaz (French gas transmission network and subsidiary of GDF SUEZ), the Tours-Bordeaux high speed line (LISEA), Gassled (a joint venture that owns the Norwegian gas transport and export network), the motorway company SANEF, Eurotunnel, Viaduc de Millau and Gaz de Strasbourg. www.cdcinfrastructure.com  

About AREVA
AREVA supplies solutions for power generation with less carbon. Its expertise and unwavering insistence on safety, security, transparency and ethics are setting the standard, and its responsible development is anchored in a process of continuous improvement.Ranked first in the global nuclear power industry, AREVA’s unique integrated offering to utilities covers every stage of the fuel cycle, nuclear reactor design and construction, and related services. The group is also expanding in renewable energies – wind, solar, bioenergies, hydrogen and storage – to be one of the top three in this sector worldwide in 2012. With these two major offers, AREVA’s 48,000 employees are helping to supply ever safer, cleaner and more economical energy to the greatest number of people. www.areva.com