Alstom, GDF SUEZ to supply equipment for French tidal farm

Alstom, together with GDF SUEZ, has been chosen by the French Prime Minister to supply equipment for a tidal energy pilot farm at Raz Blanchard, west of the Cotentin peninsula (Manche), following the findings of a study conducted by the ADEME.

This choice was made after the French Government initiated a Call for Expressions of Interest (CEI) back in September 2013. Four Oceade™18 – 1.4 MW tidal turbines, as well as an Alstom electrical subsea hub2 will be installed at this high-potential tidal site. With 5.6 MW in total capacity, the tidal turbines will be able to supply power to 15,000 people.

This project will allow Alstom to test its Oceade™ 18 – 1.4 MW tidal turbine under installation and operational conditions similar to those in commercial facilities. Alstom’s Oceade™ tidal turbines, due to equip the GDF Suez pilot farm at Raz Blanchard, will thus enjoy the benefit of this feedback from two separate sources and of any improvements stemming from it.

Installing the Oceade™ 18 – 1.4 MW turbine at Raz Blanchard GDF SUEZ pilot farm represents a decisive step towards setting up commercial operations in tidal energy.

Jacques Jamart, Alstom Senior Vice-President in charge of new energies, said: “Thanks to this project, Alstom technology will be in a position to demonstrate its efficiency, its optimised costs and its maintainability, a necessary prerequisite to considering any future move towards a commercial phase on a larger scale.” 

The sea-based project is slated to begin in 2017 and is expected to operate for a period of 20 years.

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Press Release; Images: Alstom