EU-backed tidal array project targets 9.6 MW of tidal energy by 2027

November 6, 2024, by Zerina Maksumic

The EURO-TIDES project is moving forward with plans to establish Europe’s path in tidal energy development with a 9.6 MW pilot tidal array by 2027, at the European Marine Energy Centre’s (EMEC) Fall of Warness tidal site in Orkney.

Orbital Marine Power’s O2 floating tidal turbine (Courtesy of Orbital Marine Power)

Set to harness tidal resources with four 2.4 MW turbines from Orbital Marine Power, the December 2023-launched project aims to boost Europe’s position in renewable energy by establishing a sustainable tidal energy infrastructure.

EURO-TIDES, standing for EUROpean Tidal energy pilot farm focused on Industrial Design, Environmental mitigation, and Sustainability, intends to address key challenges such as industrial design, environmental impact mitigation, and cost reduction to make tidal energy commercially viable.

The project’s core objectives include de-risking tidal technology and lowering the levelized cost of energy (LCOE) for Orbital Marine’s floating tidal platforms, enhancing long-term feasibility.

The project targets a 95% availability rate for tidal energy production, boosting market confidence and improving both bankability and supply chain capacity. Performance will be measured against international standards to validate the resilience and efficiency of the technology, providing critical insights for future projects.

The pilot initiative serves as a precursor to a 2 GW pipeline, supporting the commercialization of tidal power across Europe and contributing to the EU’s broader green energy goals.

EURO-TIDES project partners include CWD – Center for Wind Power Drives RWTH, EMEC, Énergie de la lune, ENGIE Laborelec, MaraSoft, Ocean Energy Europe (OEE), Orbital Marine Power, and the University of Edinburgh.

The project was funded by the EU Horizon Europe program and the UK Research and Innovation and will run until February 2029.

To remind, in October 2023, Scotland-based renewable energy company Orbital Marine Power, and the project partners were selected by the European Commission’s Horizon Europe program to deliver EURO-TIDES.