Netherlands-based oilfield services player SBM Offshore has pinned its hopes of becoming “competitive and relevant” in the fast-growing floating wind market on the successful deployment of its technology in a pilot off southern France.

Located 15km off Marseille in 100 metres of water, EDF’s Provence Grand Large scheme is expected to cost about €200m ($236m) to develop, with the European Infrastructure Bank set to part-fund the project, one of four pilots that France hopes will kick-start large-scale development off its coasts.