French government has selected Alstom along with GDF SUEZ, to supply tidal energy equipment for a pilot farm at Raz Blanchard, near Cotentin peninsula (Manche).
According to the deal, four Oceade18 – 1.4MW tidal turbines, as well as an Alstom electrical subsea hub2 will be installed at this high-potential tidal site.
ADEME, as part of the government initiated “Program des Investissements d’Avenir” in 2013 has conducted a study before finalizing the project.
The total capacity of the turbines is 5.6 MW, able to supply power for 5000 people.
The project is scheduled to begin in 2017 and is expected to operate for a period of 20 years.
The GDF SUEZ pilot is an opportunity for Alstom to test its Oceade18 – 1.4MW tidal turbine under installation and operational conditions.
The installation of turbines for the pilot farm is a decisive step towards setting up commercial operations in tidal energy.
Two months ago, Alstom modified its 1MW tidal steam turbine design to create more efficient, cost-effective and easy to maintain Oceade 18 – 1.4 MW turbines.
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The concept of Oceade platform reduces the price of electricity and maximizing the use of tidal stream resources according to local conditions.
In 2012, Irish firm OpenHydro has established world’s largest tidal energy plant at the French coast near Paimpol-Bréhat in Brittany.
The installation comprising four two-megawatt turbines provides power for up to 4,000 homes in the area, costing nearly 40 million euros (£34 million).
Sabeena Wahid
editor@greentechlead.com