First 3 MW wind turbines in France now being repowered

A full-circle moment for CTE Wind — and also a very personal one.

In 2005, when the first 3 MW wind turbines in France were installed, CTE Wind designed the gravity foundations for two of these pioneering turbines. At that time, turbines of this size represented a significant technological step forward for the French wind industry.

Nearly two decades later, the wind farm is entering a new phase: repowering.

What makes this project particularly special is that it returns to my desk almost 20 years later. Having personally been involved in the original design, it is a unique and rewarding experience to see the project come full circle and to contribute again to its next chapter.

We are proud that CTE Wind has once again been entrusted with the foundation design for the repowered turbines. Being involved both in the original project and in its repowering highlights the durability of the initial engineering work and the continued trust in CTE Wind’s expertise.

CTE Wind is regularly involved in repowering and lifetime extension projects, assessing the impact of turbine upgrades, reblading, or power increases on existing foundations and developing optimized engineering solutions for the next generation of turbines. Supporting wind farms throughout their lifecycle—from first installation to repowering and lifetime extension—is a key part of our mission to advance wind energy.