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15. October 2008
BLUE H PRESS
Blue H France SAS created
Brest, October 15, 2008 – The Dutch group Blue H Technologies BV has created BLUE H France on
September 26, 2008. Based in Brittany, this subsidiary will develop a prototype of deep water offshore
wind turbine to benefit from stronger, more regular winds, to overcome frequent objections to near
offshore wind farms and to address the fundamental problem of the wind energy industry today, that of
being able to to deploy larger and larger turbines.
Wind turbines located further offshore than traditional offshore wind farms
After having launched a first floating 80 kW wind turbine offshore southern Italy end of 2007, Blue H
now wants to build a full size 3.5 MW prototype in Brittany. It will be a Diwet unit (Deepwater Innovative
Wind Energy Technology), based on the TLP (Tension Leg Platform) concept, adapted by Blue H. With this
technology of anchored platform, structures are lighter, easier to install and can be located further
offshore than traditional offshore wind farms.
The Breton environment has been decisive for the siting of the French operation
- the wind resource, the profile of the coast and the local energy needs offer a very good potential
- the abilities of the companies of Bretagne Pôle Naval and the Breton know-how in racing boats
are an excellent fit for the offshore wind energy industry
- the existence and actions of the Pôle Mer Bretagne are important for our research and development projects
- the works and the highlighting of these assets by Bretagne International, as well as the Agence Économique de Bretagne and the other partners have drawn our attention to the Brittany area.
Eight partners in Western France
The international strategy of the group includes the completion of ambitious projects through local
ventures and collaborative structures. Blue H France has thus established a partnership with businesses
and research units in Western France to design, build and install the Diwet prototype in Brittany:
- Timolor and Lorima in Lorient
- Actimar, the Institute of Corrosion and the University of Western Brittany in Brest
- Astrium in Bordeaux
- The École Centrale de Nantes and the CETIM (Centre Technique des Industries Mécaniques) in Nantes
The application for the project has been made recently at the Pôle Mer Bretagne.
Major prospects
In view of the major prospects for the deep water offshore wind market, this project has some great
assets, including:
- Diversification of local industries in a booming global market (the wind market has grown by over
25 % a year for several years)
- 50 000 work hours will be needed to build the prototype by the local industry (the offshore wind industry generates 15 to 19 jobs per installed MW - EWEA)
- Contribution to the goals of the Breton energy plan (including 20 % of renewable energy and 30 %
local production in 2020) and national goals for renewable energy and greenhouse gas emissions
Contact : Francois Huber
Director Blue H France SAS
+33 634 482 976 - fhuber@bluehgroup.com
16C rue Jouanet |F-35708 Rennes Cedex 7 www.bluehgroup.com
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