In recent years French industrial interests have embraced tidal technology with the Alstom purchase of Tidal Generation Limited and DCNS acquiring OpenHydro. Even though most of the activity in the wave and tidal sector is focused on the British Isles, French developers are declaring ambitious plans.
GDF Suez, for instance, are currently carrying out feasibility studies on the Raz Blanchard and Passage Du Fromveur regions, currently believed to represent 80 percent of the French marine energy potential. EDF has also edged steadily towards commissioning the Paimpol-Brehat project in partnership with OpenHydro, which promises to be the largest commercial scale tidal project upon completion.
West Normandy Marine Energy will host a dedicated half-day conference at the International Tidal Energy Summit in November to be held in London, a meeting point for key representatives of the international tidal market. WNME will outline the opportunities for marine power development in Normandy, alongside the Ports of Normandy Association, Frances Energies Marines and the French grid operator RTE.
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