World's most powerful underwater tide-riding turbines to power 15,000 homes annually
One of the most powerful underwater tide-riding turbine projects has secured funding from the European Union's Innovation Fund. NH1 project by tidal energy developer Normandie Hydroliennes in France has been granted €31.3 million in funding from the European Union's 2023 Innovation Fund. The grant will fast-track NH1, one of France's first commercial tidal energy pilots, boosting marine renewables. The project aims to install four horizontal-axis turbines in Normandy, delivering 34 GWh annually to the French grid by 2028.According to the firm, the NH1 farm aligns with France's 2030 renewable energy targets and broader energy transition strategy. 'This funding will enable us to take decisive steps in the implementation of our innovative and competitive solution, to accelerate our development and to realize our vision,' said Katia Gautier, director of Normandie Hydroliennes, in a statement.
EU has selected the NH1 tidal energy pilot farm for funding under the "Innovation Fund," a program supporting low-carbon technologies. NH1 is among 85 "Zero-Net" projects awarded a share of €4.8 billion, chosen based on greenhouse gas reduction potential, innovation, maturity, scalability, and economic viability."The grants range from €1.4 million to €262 million for projects with the potential to reduce emissions by some 397.6 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent over their first ten years of operation," said European Climate, Infrastructure and Environment Executive Agency, in a statement.Located in the Alderney Race, NH1 will feature four 3MW AR3000 turbines, generating 33.9 GWh annually—enough to power 15,000 homes. The project, set to begin operations in late 2027, highlights tidal energy as a reliable and competitive renewable source.According to Normandie Hydroliennes, with Alderney Race offering up to 5 GW of tidal potential, NH1 represents a key step in France's clean energy transition.Developed by Proteus Marine Renewables, the AR3000 turbines are the world's most powerful tidal units and are cost-competitive in electricity generation. Normandie Hydroliennes claims with it being manufactured in France and assembled at Efinor workshops in Cherbourg, the project emphasizes local expertise, with 80 percent of its value sourced from French suppliers. The NH1 development is expected to create approximately 400 direct and indirect jobs.According to the firm, the recognition from the EU reinforces tidal energy's viability and investment appeal, strengthening France's renewable energy sector and its 2030 sustainability goals.
Climate change remains the greatest global challenge of this generation. To combat it, Europe and France have set ambitious 2030 mandates aimed at accelerating the ecological and energy transition while significantly cutting carbon emissions.In this change, renewable energy is essential. Although solar and wind have lessened dependency on fossil fuels, their erratic nature emphasizes the need for more reliable renewable energy sources. By using the Moon's gravitational pull to generate predictable ocean currents, tidal energy provides a dependable source of electricity.With up to 5 GW of unrealized potential, tidal power is a crucial component of France's renewable energy transition, according to Ocean Energy Europe. By 2030, its production costs are expected to be comparable to those of floating wind energy, making it a competitive part of the energy mix of the future. Tidal turbines are environmentally benign, have little effect on marine environments, and are simple to recycle when their useful lives are up.Tidal farms are completely submerged, removing any visual, acoustic, and marine disruptions, in contrast to other renewable energy sources. In addition to helping the environment, the industry strengthens local economies, which assists SMEs and mid-sized businesses the most.By 2030, it is anticipated that France's tidal energy industry will create 6,000 new jobs, bolstering the local economy and promoting the nation's energy independence.
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