This marks an important milestone for marine tidal energy in France. This funding will support the deployment of one of the country’s first commercial-scale tidal energy pilot projects, reinforcing the role of tidal energy in the transition to clean energy.
Katia Gautier, Director of Normandie Hydroliennes, commented, “Being selected by the Innovation Fund is a major recognition of our work and the impact that our technological system, the innovative Proteus AR3000 horizontal axis turbine, can have on decarbonization and the energy mix.”
The European Commission's €4.8 billion Innovation Fund 2023 supports innovative low-carbon technologies. The European Commission's Innovation Fund is one of the world's largest funding programmes for the demonstration of innovative low-carbon technologies.
The projects supported were assessed on 5 criteria: GHG reduction potential; degree of innovation; technological, financial and operational readiness, replicability; and economic profitability. It aims to bring to market industrial solutions to decarbonize Europe and support its transition to climate neutrality.
Thanks to the support of the European Commission, tidal energy is gaining the momentum it needs to develop and integrate into the energy mix of France and Europe. France has the second largest current in Europe. With a demonstrated development potential of around 5 to 6 GW, it represents a production of 15 to 18 TWh to supply electricity to 8 million people.
The NH1 project contributes to France’s 2030 renewable energy targets and continues the Government’s strategy of investment, innovation and reindustrialization. This pilot farm will operate 4 AR3000 horizontal axis turbines, the most powerful in the world and the most efficient in commercial operation. Built in Cherbourg, they will produce 34 GWh per year of clean, sustainable and 100% predictable energy to the French national grid and will supply 15,000 people in 2028, paving the way for future tidal farms in the region.
With a final objective of 80% of the construction value of the NH1 project produced in France, it will mobilize around 400 full-time jobs (direct and indirect) and the remainder in Europe, in order to guarantee energy sovereignty.
NH1 will reduce costs, develop tidal energy and contribute to France's independence in renewable energy. Indeed, the NH1 project was selected in particular on the basis of its reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, its technological innovation, its maturity, its reproducibility and its economic viability. This success reflects not only their commitment to the energy transition, but also to innovation, performance, and thus validates the solidity of their NH1 project.
“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,” declares Katia Gautier, director of Normandie Hydroliennes.
She added, “We thank the European Union and all stakeholders who support us in this adventure. We look forward to working with our partners to make the NH1 tidal turbine pilot farm a success, a reference project and thus contribute to a more sustainable energy future.”
