The European Commission has preselected one tidal energy project for support under the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (EMFF) call for investments in new maritime projects.
The project – titled VPSTTG: VPS for Tidal Turbine Generators – is in line for funding under the €8 million strand of a wider EMFF call designed to help developers test novel products and services in high-potential emerging blue economy sectors.
VPSTTG project will design, manufacture and test an improved tidal turbine’s pitch system – an important component enabling technology for more cost-effective tidal energy turbines, according to the European Commission.
Although not specifically named, the project will involve the participation of partners from UK and Spain.
A total of 22 projects have been selected under the call – launched in November 2017 – to share €14.5 million allocated by EMFF to accelerate deployment of a sustainable blue economy across the EU and the Mediterranean.
They will work on de-risking investment in demonstration projects, fighting marine litter and restoring ecosystems, cooperation for a sustainable blue economy, and better ocean governance in the Mediterranean sea basin.
According to the European Commission, the grant agreements are currently being prepared for signing.