France Pilot Tidal Energy Development Moves Forward

The deadline for Expression of Interest (EoI) for the development of French tidal energy projects was closed on Friday, May 16th.

French President François Hollande called for expressions of interest for pilot tidal farms on September 30, 2013. Under the EoI, seven zones have been provided for the installation of demonstration farms in Raz-Blanchard off the Cotentin coast and Fromveur off the coast of Finistere.

Consortiums that want to install tidal power systems in the Raz Blanchard area are:

• GDF – Alstom,
• EDF – DCNS – Open Hydro,
• Akuo Marine – Geocean – Alstom,
• Unite – Siemens,
• Searieus : CMN – Hydroquest – VALOREM,
• Blue Shark Atlantique : Blue Shark Power System – Chantier COUACH,
• Hydro Parc Flottant Raz Blanchard : Tidalys – JP Energie environnement – Strukton.

For the tidal energy site at Fromveur Passage, a consortium made of GDF and Sabella applied.

May 22, 2014; Image: Open Hydro