Two ocean energy projects in France, set to deliver approximately 29 MW of capacity, have been awarded €51 million (USD 55.1 million) as part of the latest EU Innovation Fund call, according to Ocean Energy Europe. Both projects are located in the Raz Blanchard region of Normandy and have been selected under the call's pilot topic.
HydroQuest, in collaboration with Qair, will receive funding for its 17.5-MW FloWatt tidal farm, which will install seven 2.5-MW tidal turbines and is scheduled to go live in 2026. This project has also garnered significant support from the French government.
The second initiative, Normandie Hydroliennes' 12-MW NH1 tidal farm, will feature four 3-MW turbines and is set for completion in 2028.
Ocean Energy Europe noted that the additional 29 MW brings the total pipeline of publicly supported European ocean energy projects to 179 MW across 15 initiatives in the next five years. The announcement highlights the critical role of funding in unlocking commercial-scale projects and accelerating the industrialization of ocean energy.
“These two awards are another proof that tidal has reached technological maturity and is on its way to commercialization. These two farms will be the largest in the world by the time they hit the water,” said Ocean Energy Europe CEO Remi Gruet. He further emphasized the foresight of the French government in supporting tidal energy, suggesting it could become a significant industrial success story for the country.
