Alstom has signed a partnership agreement with BFG France for the supply of composite structures to produce the nacelle casings for Haliade 150-6MW wind turbine.
The agreement, signed within the framework of second offshore wind call for tenders to produce offshore turbines, will be applicable in the event that the consortium led by EDF is awarded at least one of the two wind farm projects.
Alstom said that one additional project obtained would allow the company to develop and sustain its French industrial base.
Alstom Renewable Power president Jérôme Pécresse said, "Alstom and its partners stand ready to make investments that will create up to 8,000 jobs if we are awarded the projects needed to support such investments."
Meanwhile, Alstom is proceeding discussions with 300 French suppliers located in the Lower Normandy region and all across the nation.
Alstom is developing two plants in Saint-Nazaire that will manufacture nacelles and generators. The construction will be completed by the end of 2014.
The building permit for the Cherbourg plants was obtained in March 2014 and administrative procedures are currently under way.
Alstom said that these plants could create a total of 5,000 jobs, including 1,000 direct jobs, in the long run.
Image: Haliade 150-6MW offshore wind turbine at Belwind, Belgium. Photo: Courtesy of Alstom / Nicolas Job.