The European Commission has found that a French project promoting electricity generation from tidal energy is in line with EU State aid rules.
The Normandie Hydro plant is a demonstration plant for producing electricity from tidal energy. It will be developed by OpenHydro and operated by EDF EN and will be located at Raz Blanchard, west of the Cotentin peninsula, on the English Channel.
The demonstration plant will comprise seven turbines with a power generation capacity of 14 megawatts. The turbines will have a rotor diameter of 16 meters and will be installed on the sea floor.
France intends to support the development and operation of the Raz Blanchard tidal energy demonstration plant. The objective of the public support is to test the novel technology and verify the potential for tidal energy in France before deploying it on a larger scale. The project will facilitate the development of tidal energy and will help France meet its 2020 renewable energy target.
The demonstration plant will receive operating aid and investment aid. Part of the investment aid will be paid in the form of repayable advances that will be reimbursed if the technology is successful.
Commissioner Margrethe Vestager, in charge of competition policy, said:
"Tidal energy is one of the technologies that can contribute in the transition towards a climate friendly energy supply in Europe. The French project approved today will help showcase tidal energy technology, while limiting distortions of competition"
The Commission assessed the scheme under its 2014 Guidelines on State Aid for Environmental Protection and Energy, which allow Member States to support renewable energy, subject to certain conditions. It found that the project promotes market penetration of a novel renewable energy technology and that the level of aid is proportionate and will not lead to overcompensation, in line with the Guidelines.
The Commission has concluded that the project will promote the use of electricity generated from renewable sources without unduly distorting competition.
Attendees at next month’s National Civils Show, Floodex, National Drainage Show and Waterways Management on 26th and 27th November are set to benefit from an expert speaker line-up and the opportunity to visit a wide range of exhibitors all co-located in one place at Excel, London, one of the UK’s leading international exhibition and convention centres.
Tackling leakage is one of the fastest and most cost-effective ways for utilities to bolster water security, writes Ben Crabtree, Product Line Director, Ovarro, revealing how the potential of smart technologies is being demonstrated around the world.
UK-headquartered South Staffordshire Plc, the integrated services group operating within the UK critical infrastructure and essential services markets, has received a prestigious Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) Award for global health and safety excellence.
Balfour Beatty, the UK’s largest construction and infrastructure provider, has delivered exceptional environmental results on the Thames Estuary Asset Management 2100 (TEAM2100) framework, one of the nation’s most ambitious flood defence initiatives.
Hear how United Utilities is accelerating its investment to reduce spills from storm overflows across the Northwest.
Find out more about the remarkable career opportunities on offer at WSP - scroll down to watch the inspirational video. 
What is to be done about the UK’s failing utilities? Listen to Professor Dieter Helm explore the options to tackle the UK’s failing utilities – Thames Water, the Royal Mail and Network Rail in particular.