EMYN offshore wind farm: how Rollix is driving the energy transition
How do Rollix slewing rings contribute to the performance of the EMYN offshore wind farm?
Key points of the article
- The EMYN offshore wind farm comprises 61 wind turbines with an installed capacity of 500 MW, generating enough electricity to meet the annual consumption of nearly 800,000 people in the Vendée.
- Rollix, a Defontaine Group department based in La Bruffière in the Vendée, designed and manufactured the slewing rings for all the wind turbines at the wind farm.
- Rollix blade bearings provide pitch control, which is essential for optimising electricity generation and protecting turbines in offshore conditions.
- This project demonstrates the French industry’s ability to supply strategic components for renewable energy generation infrastructure.
Introduction
The Îles d’Yeu and Noirmoutier (EMYN) offshore wind farm is now fully operational, with its 61 wind turbines totalling 500 MW of installed capacity. It generates the equivalent of the annual electricity consumption of nearly 800,000 people and is one of the major projects in the French offshore wind sector. Behind every turbine lies a component that is essential to its operation: the blade slewing ring, designed and manufactured by Rollix, a global specialist in large-diameter bearings.
Why is the EMYN offshore wind farm a strategic project for France?
The EMYN wind farm contributes directly to increasing France’s renewable energy generation capacity.
Located off the coast of the Vendée, between the islands of Yeu and Noirmoutier, the project is being developed by Ocean Winds. Offshore construction began in 2023 and the installation of the final wind turbine was completed in April 2026. The wind farm is now fully operational.
Key figures for the EMYN wind farm
| Indicator | Value |
| Number of wind turbines | 61 |
| Installed capacity | 500 MW |
| Equivalent population served | 800 000 people |
| Full commissioning | 2026 |
| Investment | 2,5 billion euros |
Key points
The EMYN wind farm is one of France’s largest offshore wind projects, with 61 wind turbines capable of generating enough electricity to meet the annual consumption of nearly 800,000 people.
Why are slewing rings essential in an offshore wind turbine?
The blade pitch ring enables each blade to continuously adjust its angle relative to the wind.
An offshore wind turbine does more than just turn. To maintain optimum efficiency and ensure the safety of the installation, the blades must adjust their angle according to the speed and direction of the wind. This function is known as pitch control.
The blade hubs form the mechanical interface that enables this controlled rotation. Without them, the wind turbine would be unable to optimise its output or protect itself during extreme weather events.
For offshore applications, these components must also be able to withstand:
- marine corrosion;
- high dynamic loads;
- changes in temperature;
- several decades of operation.
To understand Rollix’s expertise in wind power
Key points
The blade pitch ring is a key component that enables the wind turbine to continuously adjust its blades to maximise power output and ensure safety.
What was Rollix’s contribution to the EMYN park?
Rollix designed and manufactured all the blade slewing rings for the EMYN wind farm.
In October 2023, Siemens Gamesa, the supplier of the wind turbines for the wind farm, commissioned Rollix to design and manufacture the slewing rings for the project’s wind turbines. This contract involves 186 slewing rings, or three per wind turbine.
Manufactured in La Bruffière in the Vendée, these XXL components feature, amongst other things:
- 4.3 metres in diameter;
- 6,8 tons;
- balls 70 mm in diameter.
These features ensure that the pitch control function operates reliably in particularly demanding offshore conditions. The project draws on Rollix’s long-standing expertise in the wind power sector. The company currently equips around 21 per cent of the world’s wind turbines and supplies gear rings for turbines ranging from small onshore installations to the latest generation of offshore models.
Key points
The 61 wind turbines at the EMYN wind farm are fitted with Rollix slewing rings, designed and manufactured in the Vendée region to ensure precise blade control at sea.
How does EMYN showcase French industrial excellence?
EMYN demonstrates that a significant proportion of the offshore wind energy value chain can be realised in France.
According to Ocean Winds, the project has helped to mobilise a broad French industrial ecosystem and to create several thousand direct and indirect jobs during its construction phase.
For Rollix, this contract also illustrates the investments made to support the growth of the offshore market. The La Bruffière site has committed more than 20 million euros in investment to meet the demands of future offshore wind projects in Europe and around the world.
Beyond the component itself, this project confirms the ability of French companies to develop, manufacture and supply critical equipment for the energy transition.
Key points
The EMYN wind farm illustrates how the energy transition and French industrial expertise complement one another, with Rollix among the key players in the offshore value chain.
Frequently asked questions about the EMYN park and Rollix slewing rings
What is a blade bearing?
A blade pitch bearing is a large bearing that enables a wind turbine blade to pivot on its axis. It ensures that the angle of the blades is constantly adjusted in line with wind conditions in order to optimise electricity generation.
How many wind turbines are there in the EMYN wind farm?
The EMYN wind farm comprises 61 offshore wind turbines with a total installed capacity of 500 MW. It is situated off the coast of the Vendée, between the islands of Yeu and Noirmoutier.
Where are the Rollix blade bearings for the EMYN project manufactured?
The Rollix slewing rings intended for the EMYN wind farm are manufactured at the La Bruffière site in the Vendée, where the company’s design, development and production activities are based.
What expertise does Rollix have in the wind power sector?
Rollix has been developing and manufacturing slewing rings for the wind power industry for several decades. The company claims that around 21 per cent of the world’s wind turbines are fitted with its slewing rings and has testing facilities dedicated to applications up to 20 MW.
13 October 2026