Herbert Smith Freehills advised RTE (Réseau de Transport d’Électricité) on the signing of the EPCIC contract for the Dunkirk Offshore Substation (AO3) with Chantiers de l’Atlantique. This strategic project, valued at over 320 million euros, involves the construction of the offshore substation, which is essential for connecting the Dunkirk wind farm. The wind farm is operated by Éoliennes en Mer de Dunkerque (EMD), a consortium of EDF Renouvelables France and Enbridge Éolien France S.a.r.l., in partnership with RTE.

This offshore substation will collect the energy produced by the wind turbines, increase its voltage, and transmit it via a double submarine electrical link (infrastructure that is the subject of a dedicated construction contract, currently being finalized) to the national grid, with commissioning scheduled by 2030.

By acquiring these new infrastructures, RTE is embarking on a major investment initiative, with a comprehensive plan of 10 billion euros by 2040. This plan aims to modernize and strengthen the French electrical grid to meet the challenges of the energy transition. The Dunkirk offshore substation is a key part of this ambition, showcasing RTE’s ability to innovate and collaborate with leading industrial partners to accelerate the decarbonization of the French economy.

Herbert Smith Freehills Paris advised RTE in the negotiation of this partnership. The team, composed of Mathias Dantin, Partner in the Energy and Infrastructure department, Clémence Descoutures, Senior Associate, and May-Anaïs Zebdji, Associate, led this strategic project.

They were supported by Artem Soloshchenkov, Senior Associate from the London office, as well as Laurence Franc-Menget, Partner, and Lisa Stefani, Associate from the Litigation & Arbitration department. The Banking & Finance team, represented by Michaël Armandou, Partner, and Gustave Borde, Associate, also made a significant contribution to this project.