French utility GDF Suez has acquired offshore wind energy developer MAIA EolMer pursuant to a deal signed with the MAIA Group.
The company has also formed a partnership with Areva and Vinci to develop offshore wind projects in France, where the government is targeting 6,000MW of offshore wind energy generating capacity by 2020.
GDF Suez chairman Gerard Mestrallet said that the company is positioning itself as a key player in the creation of a true offshore wind industry in France.
MAIA Group and GDF Suez are already partners in the development of onshore wind projects, through their joint subsidiary MAIA Eolis.
GDF Suez holds a 49% interest in MAIA Eolis, which is a major wind power player in France, with 198MW of installed capacity.