France has set itself the goal of zero carbon by 2050. To achieve this, policies are focusing on wind power, particularly offshore.
Three parks are under construction in Saint-Nazaire, Saint-Brieuc and Fécamp.
For the latter, the Hautes Falaises offshore wind farm will be commissioned at the end of 2023. 13 and 22 kilometers from the coast, it will have 71 wind turbines and will generate, according to experts, 60% of the electricity consumption of the Seine- Maritime.
But before that, the masts and blades must be installed on gravity foundations which will rest 20 to 30 meters deep.
Built in Le Havre, with a diameter of 31 meters, a weight of 5,000 tons and a maximum height of 54 meters, the concrete infrastructures required the setting up of a construction site unique in the world.
Subject to wonder or controversy, the Tourist Office of Fécamp allows until August 25 to go free of charge as close as possible to these constructions.
The passion for industrial tourism
It's 9 o'clock.
A bus leaves the capital of Newfoundland.
Accompanied by guides, the forty-eight passengers gulp down information throughout the hour-long journey, such as “why Fécamp?
Because of its powerful and constant winds, its shallow waters and away from commercial shipping”.
We also learn that this site employs 1,400 employees for a total cost of 2 billion euros.
Read alsoThe first offshore wind turbines in France, in Saint-Nazaire, have started to produce electricity
Arrived on site, the curious are flabbergasted by the imposing foundations, but above all by the human genius capable of creating such feats: “I am amazed by these major projects.
I am very small in front of these concrete monsters.
I like it like going to visit a beautiful castle.
It's interesting to know what equips us and will provide us with the energy of tomorrow.
At my age, it's exciting to follow technological developments and I've seen them!
», laughs at 91 years old, Paula la Fécampoise even if she wonders about the future of these tons of materials after 25 years of operation of the wind farm.
Read alsoIn Fécamp, wind power has its campus
On the way back, the bus passes without stopping in front of the Siemens-Gamesa factory where the blades and the nacelles of the wind turbines are manufactured.
It takes three hours for this walk and it is already possible to book visits for July 7, 21 and 28 as well as August 4,11,18 and 25 at 02.35.28.51.01 or on https://boutique. fecamptourisme.com.
