Following a long tendering process, Germany-based offshore helicopter service provider HTM has secured the contract for the newly built Saint-Nazaire wind farm, also known as Banc de Guérande, on the French coast of Brittany.

This represents a milestone not only for the companies involved, but also for French power supply. The wind farm, built as part of a joint venture between EDF Renewables and Enbridge, is the first completed offshore wind power project in France and is therefore of particular value for energy transition in the European Union.

HTM is expected to start flight operations from September and primarily take over the winch shifting of service technicians to the wind turbines.

Thanks to its many years of experience in setting up and running such an operation and as an offshore pioneer in the German Bight, HTM was able to assert itself against a large number of competitors. It is all the more pleased that GE Renewable Energy, the supplier of the wind turbines in Saint-Nazaire, has opted for HTM and thus established a long-term and trusting partnership in order to jointly make an important contribution to the generation of renewable energies.

As part of the contract, HTM will set up a new office at La Baule Aerodrome near Saint-Nazaire and will work with local helicopter company Heliberté, which will support day-to-day operations and provide infrastructure and other staff.