Éole Project: Start of the Ongoing Consultation Phase

Following the preliminary consultation process, Nantes ‒ Saint Nazaire Port has confirmed that it will be continuing with the Éole project. The Port Authority made clear its position at the 5th March hearing before the French National Public Debate Commission (CNDP).

The majority of the participants and contributors to the stakeholder booklets confirmed the need for prior consultation on the appropriateness of the Éole project. They recognized its essential role in meeting energy transition objectives, in strengthening the offshore wind power industry and in supporting local economic and industrial development. The Éole project is part of a drive to diversify port-based activities and to make the most of regional know-how.

At the hearing, the CNDP emphasised that all the questions, arguments and contributions from the public, as well as the recommendations made by the guarantors, had been taken into account by the contracting authority in its reasoned responses.

Nantes ‒ Saint Nazaire Port is now embarking on an ongoing consultation phase, which will include specific forums for dialogue to accompany the pre-project and project phases right up to the opening of the public enquiry. This will take the form of meetings that will be open to the public, meetings dedicated to users of the port infrastructure and to local residents visually impacted by the project.

A project monitoring committee will also be set up in the next few weeks, notably involving Local Government representatives.

In accordance with the recommendation made by the CNDP, Nantes ‒ Saint Nazaire Port is committed to exploring and sharing certain issues with interested parties, such as the financing of the project, its carbon footprint, and its impact on the environment.

For those wishing to keep up to date with the project, the participez.eole.port.fr platform remains active.

Contact at Nantes Saint-Nazaire Port – Philippe Léon