The French government has decided to contribute at least 65 million euros to a pilot project for tidal turbines, a developing technology that uses ocean currents to produce energy, the French Ministry of Energy Transition announced on Friday.
A 65 million euro tidal turbine project to decarbonize and consolidate French industry
The government’s stated aim is to “consolidate a French marine turbines industry with export prospects”, with a view to decarbonizing energy sources. The project, called “Flowatt” and carried out by Hydroquest and Qair, is located in the Channel in the Raz-Blanchard area, which is rich in currents.
As part of the France 2030 plan, the project will receive “a minimum of 65 million euros” in funding, and will also benefit from a preferential feed-in tariff for the electricity produced, according to the ministry. This 17.5 megawatt (MW) pilot project comprises seven turbines, designed by Hydroquest and built by CMN’s shipyards in Cherbourg. It is due to be commissioned by 2026 and will be in operation for 20 years.
Hydropower development in France: Promising potential for marine renewable energies
Previously, Hydroquest had tested its technology for two years with a 1 MW demonstrator in Paimpol-Bréhat. France has some of the strongest currents in the world, with a potential for tidal power estimated at between 3 and 5 GW, located mainly in the Raz-Blanchard and Fromveur rivers off the island of Ouessant (Finistère).
“Marine renewable energies are a cornerstone of our energy strategy. Offshore wind power is the main focus, but we also need to develop other marine industries, with a view to diversifying and decarbonizing our energy mix,” emphasizes Minister Agnès Pannier-Runacher, quoted in a press release.
With public authorities due to set the country’s new energy roadmap in the coming months, tidal turbine operators are calling for a return of state support, sharply reduced after the 2018 bankruptcy of a player in the sector. At the end of 2020, the EU set itself a target of 40 GW of ocean energy capacity, excluding offshore wind, by 2050.
