The FloWatt pilot project will be commissioned by 2026. Credit: Ocean Energy Europe.

The French Government’s Ministry for Energy Transition has approved €65m ($71.22m) in funding along with dedicated revenue support for a new tidal energy pilot project.

Called FloWatt, the 17.5MW pilot project is being developed by HydroQuest, a tidal turbine technology developer, with support from Qair, a French-based independent power producer.

Go deeper with GlobalData

Data Insights

The gold standard of business intelligence.

Find out more

Related Company Profiles

View all

It aims to tap into the energy from marine currents and will be located at Raz-Blanchard in the English Channel. The French Government is supporting the project under its France 2030 programme.

Electricity generated from the project will be purchased at a preferential price. The aim is to consolidate the industrial sector for tidal turbines with the potential for export.

Trade body Ocean Energy Europe has hailed the project as indicative of the government’s trust in its technology, both for the industrial opportunity and for its role in the energy transition.

It is also claimed to be a response to an increase in activity and investment in ocean energy by the US and China. This is part of a broader push that needs to take place at the European level to secure electricity supply in the region.

How well do you really know your competitors?

Access the most comprehensive Company Profiles on the market, powered by GlobalData. Save hours of research. Gain competitive edge.

Company Profile – free sample

Thank you!

Your download email will arrive shortly

Not ready to buy yet? Download a free sample

We are confident about the unique quality of our Company Profiles. However, we want you to make the most beneficial decision for your business, so we offer a free sample that you can download by submitting the below form

By GlobalData
Visit our Privacy Policy for more information about our services, how we may use, process and share your personal data, including information of your rights in respect of your personal data and how you can unsubscribe from future marketing communications. Our services are intended for corporate subscribers and you warrant that the email address submitted is your corporate email address.

The pilot project will be made up of seven turbines, each with 2.5MW of generating capacity.

The turbines were designed by HydroQuest and built by the Constructions Mécaniques de Normandie shipyards in Cherbourg, Normandy.

The project will be commissioned by 2026 and will then operate for more than 20 years.

It will generate enough clean electricity to meet the requirements of 20,000 people.

FloWatt will draw on the experience of OceanQuest, a 1MW, two-year demonstration programme conducted in Paimphol-Bréhat.