France to Build World’s Most Powerful Underwater Tidal Turbines

The European Commission’s Innovation Fund has provided funding to begin the creation of the world’s most powerful underwater tidal turbines. The project was launched by the French company Normandie Hydroliennes, which plans to install the first four turbines off the coast of Normandy within three years to generate renewable electricity from tidal processes in the sea.

Image source: Normandie Hydroliennes

The NH1 project is one of 85 “Zero-Net” projects worth €4.8 billion allocated for green energy by the European Union in 2023. The first phase of NH1 will culminate in the installation of four AR3000 underwater tidal generators, each with a capacity of 3 MW. Together, the generators will produce 33.9 GWh per year – enough to power 15,000 homes.

To start the work, Normandie Hydroliennes has received €31.3 million from the EU authorities. The grant will accelerate the project, one of the first commercial solutions to use tidal energy in France, which will help develop marine renewable energy. These will be horizontal axis turbines that will start generating electricity for the French power grid by 2028.

The AR3000 turbines developed by Proteus Marine Renewables are the most powerful tidal turbines in the world. They are fully cost competitive in power generation. The turbines are assembled using 80% French components and materials, which will also create around 400 direct and indirect jobs as part of the NH1 project.

Tidal power, with a potential of up to 5 GW, is a key component of France’s transition to renewable energy, according to analysts at Ocean Energy Europe. By 2030, its production costs are expected to be comparable to those of floating wind power, making tidal power plants a competitive part of the energy mix of the future. Tidal turbines are environmentally friendly, have a low impact on the marine environment and are easily recycled at the end of their life.

Tidal power plants are completely submerged in water, eliminating any visual, acoustic, or marine disturbances, unlike other renewable energy sources. In addition to preserving the environment, the industry strengthens the local economy, which is especially beneficial for small and medium-sized businesses.

Tidal energy in France is expected to create 6,000 new jobs by 2030, strengthening the local economy and contributing to the country’s energy independence.