Orrick is Advising the French State (Ministry of Energy Transition) on the Offshore Wind Farm Project Located off Normandy (Centre Manche 1)

2 minute read | April.07.2023

Orrick is advising the French Ministry of Energy Transition (Direction générale de l'énergie et du climat) in the framework of the competitive dialogue bidding procedure for the offshore wind farm project located off the coast of Normandy (Centre Manche 1 Project), a project awarded by ministerial decision dated March 24, 2023 to Eoliennes en Mer Manche Normandie, a project company owned by EDF Renewables and Maple Power.

The Normandy I project (“AO4”) is to date the biggest offshore wind project in France with a capacity of 1GW and an investment cost circa 2 billion euros. This is also the first project located in the French Exclusive Economic Zone, which is a geographical area governed by a specific legal framework under international and French law. The capacity of this farm will represent the consumption of about 800,000 homes. Its commissioning is expected in 2031.

The awarding of this project by the State comes shortly after the entry into force of the law of March 10, 2023 on the acceleration of renewable energy production, which aims in particular, as far as offshore wind is concerned, to promote the planning of projects and their implementation. It is in line with France's objective to reach 40 GW of installed capacity by 2050.

The Orrick team has been involved in the structuring and regulatory aspects of the bidding process and of the project, as well as in the drafting of the documentation and the dialogue with the bidders.

The team is also working alongside the Ministry of Energy Transition on other calls for tender relating to offshore wind farms, both bottom-fixed and floating, launched by the State as part of the Pluriannual Energy Program.

The Orrick team was led by Geoffroy Berthon (Partner, Public Law, Energy & Infrastructure) and included Noël Chahid Nourai (Senior Counsel, Public Law, Energy & Infrastructure), Constance Boillot (Of Counsel, Public Law, Energy & Infrastructure), Janina Dahmouh (Senior Associate, Public Law, Energy & Infrastructure) and Gwendoline Vannarath (Junior Associate, Public Law, Energy & Infrastructure).

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Geoffroy Berthon Partner, Energy, Infrastructure

Paris

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D:+33 1 5353 7515
E: [email protected]

Practice:

Energy & Infrastructure Sector
Energy
Infrastructure
Public Finance

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Geoffroy Berthon Partner

Paris

Geoffroy advises on public contracts, particularly in the context of concessions and PPPs. He has been involved in projects relating to the financing, construction and operation of the Stade Vélodrome in Marseille; the Sud Europe Atlantique high-speed line; the Athletes' Village for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games; the Grand Paris Express and the offshore extension of the Principality of Monaco. He has also worked on several French highway (A412, A69, RCEA, A88, A41, A150), port (Calais, Cannes) and airport projects (Nice, Lyon, Beauvais).

In the renewables field, he acts alongside the French government (Ministry of Energy Transition) in calls for tenders for the construction of offshore wind farms, including floating wind turbines, and advises operators in the realization of biomass and geothermal projects, as well as investors in the context of "M&A" operations concerning wind and solar assets and methanization. He also has experience in hydroelectricity matters. He advises both sponsors and lenders and works regularly with public entities and governments. He also advises on the drafting and negotiation of corporate PPAs, acting for both energy producers and buyers.

Geoffroy Berthon is recognised by clients as "a high quality lawyer whose analyses are very precise and rigorous and whose pragmatic approach is highly regarded" (Legal 500) and as a Leading Individual by Legal 500 (EMEA 2023) in public law and energy.

Geoffroy holds a doctorate in public law, was a lecturer in public contract law at Sciences Po, and frequently published in both English and French.

Constance Boillot Of Counsel, Energy, Renewable Energy

Paris

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D:+33 1 5353 7500
E: [email protected]

Practice:

Energy & Infrastructure Sector
Energy
Renewable Energy
Infrastructure

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Constance Boillot Of Counsel

Paris

Her practice covers the development of projects, particularly in the energy and infrastructure sectors, notably within the framework of public contracts such as concessions and PPP contracts, as well as the regulatory aspects of regulated activities. She also handles litigation in these sectors.

She advises both sponsors and lenders, and also works with public entities.

Constance started her career at Orrick in 2013, before joining the project finance legal desk of Bouygues Construction at the end of 2018 for two years. She rejoined Orrick in 2021.

Janina Dahmouh Senior Associate, Energy, Infrastructure

Paris

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D:+33 1 5353 7500
E: [email protected]

Practice:

Energy & Infrastructure Sector
Energy
Infrastructure
Africa

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Janina Dahmouh Senior Associate

Paris

Janina advises on all regulated sectors (transportation, telecommunications, health ...) with a focus on regulatory energy related issues. She has deep knowledge of the specificities of the renewables sector (such as solar, wind (offshore and onshore), biogas and geothermal energy). She works for public entities as well as private entities, including investors in the context of M&A operations both in the infrastructure and energy sectors.

Before joining Orrick in 2016, Janina completed several internships with French and other major international law firms and also with an independent administrative authority in charge of telecommunications.

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