Brittany reveals study showing potential for tidal energy

At the end of 2023, Brittany formalized its support for the tidal turbine industry by joining Ocean Energy Europe, the world’s largest network of ocean energy professionals (producers, researchers and local authorities). To accelerate the development of tidal energy along its 2,470 km of coastline, in spring 2023, the Brittany region commissioned two Breton companies, Actimar and DynamOcean, to conduct a study of the potential of tidal energy. The results were published this week, Wednesday at 2:00 p.m.

The study highlights the potential for around 500 MW of commercial wind farms in three areas: at Fromveur, as well as two new sites west of Ushant Island and at Raz de Sein. These sites have the potential to support current ocean tidal turbine technologies that require high current speeds. These areas complement the potential of Raz Blanchard, one of the most energy-efficient sites in Europe.

The study also identified new areas in Brittany, this time outside Bréhat, with medium current speeds. These will be particularly suitable for new tidal turbine technologies and will be the subject of further research.

The measurement campaign and numerical modelling were carried out in summer 2023 by Actimar, a specialist in oceanographic studies and analysis of the impact on the size and design of projects, and DynamOcean, a consulting company dedicated to physical oceanography. Both companies, based in Brest and Lannion respectively, are involved in offshore renewable energy projects in France and abroad (Indonesia, Norway, Scotland, the Netherlands, etc.).

With potential sites such as Fromveur, a sea pass between the Molène archipelago and Ushant Island, Brittany has been supporting the development of tidal turbine technology for several years. In 2016, its offshore wind and marine development plan envisaged the installation of 500 MW of tidal energy by 2030. The turbines of the Flowatt pilot tidal turbine farm, located in Normandy at Raz Blanchard, have been tested and verified at the Breton test centre Paimpol-Bréhat.

Following the government’s announcement last July of a €75 million investment in the Flowatt project, industry professionals and supporters of the Brittany region are looking forward to the inclusion of tidal energy in the government’s new multi-annual energy plan (PPE).

Brittany already has:

Two tidal turbine test sites: at Ria d’Etel (Morbihan) dedicated to small tidal turbines and at Paimpol-Bréhat (Côtes d’Armor) dedicated to ocean tidal turbines, connected to the grid and dedicated to scale 1 turbines.

More than 190 companies with the expertise needed to support the development of offshore energy projects across the entire value chain, listed in a dedicated directory.

Ports near test sites meet the needs of the offshore renewable energy industry.

A large ocean energy R&D ecosystem around the Brest-Iroise Technology Park, including the headquarters of the France Energies Marines national institute.

Thanks to this new study, the Brittany region now has more accurate, up-to-date data on the tidal potential of its territory. This data can now be made available to industrialists interested in exploiting these sites.

For additional information:

Brittany’s Ocean Power