PORTLAND, Maine - A French company is joining a University of Maine-led consortium that's developing an offshore wind farm.
DCNS announced that it's joining Maine Aqua Ventus, which intends to install a two-turbine, 12-megawatt project off the coast of Monhegan Island. The project shows enough promise that it's in the running for a $40 million federal grant.
The Portland Press Herald reports that DCNS is a defense contractor that's expanding into marine energy technology with work in tidal energy, ocean thermal energy and offshore wind. It says it has roughly 13,000 employees in 10 countries.
DCNS' role in the Maine project is unclear. A UMaine official says the company's expertise is welcome, and that it could become an equity partner down the road.