Shell to take over French floating wind expert Eolfi

Oil and gas giant Royal Dutch Shell Plc (AMS:RDSA) has sealed a deal to acquire French floating wind power specialist Eolfi SA for an undisclosed sum.

Shell said in a statement on Tuesday that this purchase will provide it with specialist expertise needed to enhance the group’s existing wind team, along with additional foothold in France and a pilot project. The transaction is expected to close in December, subject to regulatory and ministerial approvals.

"EOLFI’s heritage in floating wind combined with Shell’s offshore expertise and global footprint will enable us to expand offshore, but also onshore with our wind and solar photovoltaic projects as part of the Shell New Energies division,” commented Alain Delsupexhe, founder of the French company.

The business being acquired has more than 65 professionals across offices in Paris, Lorient, Marseilles and Montpellier. It was founded in 2004 and placed its focus on floating offshore wind in 2012. To date, its staff has developed over 200 onshore and offshore renewable energy projects in five countries.

Together with partners, Eolfi is currently working on a pilot floating wind project off the coast of Brittany, where it plans to deploy three turbines on semi-submersible floats. The project is pending certain approvals.

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