PALFINGER lands first offshore wind farm deal in France



With a total of 71 fixed boom cranes, PALFINGER is going to play a vital part in one of France's major renewable energy projects – the Fécamp offshore wind farm. The estimated delivery of the first cranes is scheduled for May 2021.

Salzburg, Austria on 21st January 2021 

Electricity for more than 770,000 people: this is just one of many ambitious goals of the initiators of the Fécamp offshore wind farm project. The required energy will be generated between 13 and 20+ km off the Normandy coast by 71 wind turbines.
To guarantee safe, smooth and fast lifting operations, PALFINGER was selected as the preferred supplier for 71 of its reliable PF14000-4.5 LDB fixed boom cranes. These will lift materials and tools from the supply vessel onto the laydown area of the transition deck during the installation and commissioning of the wind turbines. Furthermore, the cranes will be used during routine inspection and service work throughout the turbines' operational life. Apart from these cranes' low maintenance and service requirements, they can be operated even during emergency evacuations.

In addition to the 71 fixed boom davits, PALFINGER will deliver two PTM600-20m telescopic boom cranes to the offshore wind farm's operations and maintenance (O&M) base for loading and unloading materials and equipment to and from Crew Transfer Vessels (CTVs).


PALFINGER's first French offshore wind project
"The Fécamp offshore wind farm project offered an opportunity that we couldn't let slip by. Winning this project has opened the door for PALFINGER to the French offshore wind market and significantly strengthens our footprint in the European offshore wind industry," Nikolaj Bæk Rosenkrantz, PALFINGER's Sales Manager Wind, points out. "Apart from that, this project has been an invaluable experience so far. We've been leading close dialogues, making full use of our synergies and working on solutions that will perfectly meet the customer's requirements," he adds.


Preparations for crane production and deliveries already underway
As soon as PALFINGER won the Fécamp bid, preparations for the deliveries of the cranes began. The first batch is estimated to be supplied in May 2021. The offshore wind farm itself is expected to commence operations in 2023.