The European Commission’s Innovation Fund has granted €51 million to two tidal farms located in Raz Blanchard, France. HydroQuest and Normandie Hydroliennes emerged as the winners in the latest funding call, which received a total of 337 applications.
Funding Highlights
- Selected Projects: In the “pilots” category, 17 projects were preselected for grants, with Ocean Energy securing funding for two projects in France.
- HydroQuest’s FloWatt Tidal Farm: HydroQuest has been awarded funding for its 17 MW FloWatt tidal farm project. In partnership with Qair, the project will install six tidal turbines in Raz-Blanchard, expected to go online in 2026. This facility is projected to generate enough energy to power 20,000 local homes.
- Normandie Hydroliennes’ NH1 Tidal Farm: Normandie Hydroliennes received funding for its 12 MW NH1 tidal farm project, also in Raz Blanchard. This project will feature four 3 MW turbines—the most powerful models to date—and is scheduled to produce 33.9 GWh annually starting in 2028.
Impact on Ocean Energy Development
This funding announcement adds 29 MW to the existing pipeline of publicly supported European ocean energy projects over the next five years, bringing the total outlook to 179 MW across 15 projects.
Rémi Gruet, CEO of Ocean Energy Europe, commented on the significance of these awards, stating, “These two awards are further proof that tidal technology has reached maturity and is on its way to commercialisation. By the time they are operational, these two farms will be the largest in the world.” Gruet also praised the French government for its foresight in supporting tidal energy, calling it a potential French industrial success story.
The European Commission’s investment in these tidal farms marks a significant step toward advancing ocean energy projects in Europe. With ongoing support and development, tidal energy is poised to play a crucial role in the continent’s renewable energy landscape.
