By Forrest Crellin
PARIS, April 21 (Reuters) – French utility Engie is in talks with the Trump administration about a possible refund for its offshore wind project leases amid the president’s opposition to the technology, CEO Catherine MacGregor said on Tuesday.
Any deal would follow French oil major TotalEnergies redirecting nearly $1 billion (850 million euros) from offshore wind leases to U.S. oil and natural gas production.
“We’ll see about these terms, an agreement is possible depending on the discussions,” MacGregor said at a press breakfast.
“But honestly … there’s going to be a change in government, and I think (offshore wind permitting) comes back,” she added.
Engie has paused three U.S. offshore wind projects in development and booked impairments for its joint venture Ocean Winds since Trump returned to the White House last year.
Trump has said he finds wind turbines ugly, costly and inefficient, and his administration has moved to increase domestic fossil fuel production.
“Economically and also in terms of public acceptance, I strongly believe in offshore wind power. Of course, you have to plan the projects well, you have to involve the fishermen,” she said.
(1 euro = $1.1759)
(Reporting by Forrest Crellin. Editing by Mark Potter)
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