TotalFinaElf has been granted the necessary building permit from the Préfecture du Nord in France to launch the construction of a five-turbine wind farm at the site of its Flanders refinery in Mardyck, near Dunkirk.

The project entails the installation of state-of-the-art wind turbines for a power capacity of 12 megawatts, which represents the equivalent of the domestic consumption of 15,000 people. The turbine types selected for the project are large-scale designs, based upon proven technology, which will form the basis of future wind-power developments at sea. This choice allows the concentration of power within a limited area of ground-space, while generating low levels of noise. Located near the refinery, the new wind farm will benefit from the plant's maintenance expertise, from the existing electrical infrastructure, and will integrate more easily into the surrounding landscape. The power produced will be sold to EDF. The capital expenditure budget has been set at around 15 million euros.

The wind farm project has been the subject of in-depth impact studies regarding the natural environment, noise levels, landscape integration, plant safety, and local economic activity. These studies were conducted in conjunction with the key regional players as well as the relevant authorities. The local community participated in an information meeting, held in February.

A multi-energy Group producing primarily oil and gas, TotalFinaElf also has expertise in power generation and in renewable energies. It is committed to pooling its competences to develop wind farm projects which are both innovative and environmentally sound. TotalFinaElf thereby intends to make its own contribution to the objectives which countries in the European Union have set themselves for the development of renewable energies.