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The EU-funded Interreg France (Channel) England has approved a tidal energy project for the channel region of UK and France.
The €46.8m Tidal Stream Industry Energiser Project (Tiger) will see turbines submerged offshore in order to harness the energy of tidal currents that are converted to electricity at a later stage.
Of the total project value, €28m is the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) through the programme’s funding category for low carbon technologies.
Led by the UK’s Offshore Renewable Energy (ORE) Catapult, Tiger comprises a total of 19 partners including turbine developers, ocean energy demonstration sites, research organisations, as well local and regional authorities in France and the UK.
Interreg France (Channel) England Programme manager Carolyn Reid said: “This is a hugely ambitious project that will demonstrate the benefits of harnessing tidal energy on a large scale.
“The long-term aim is to support the industry to reduce generating costs of tidal stream energy from the existing 300€ MW/h to 150€ MW/h by 2025 and increase uptake. There is an EU target to reach 100€/MWh by 2030.
“The project has a clear link to the programme objective to increase the development and uptake of existing or new low-carbon technologies in sectors that have the highest potential for a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions.”
The project will see the installation of 8MW of new tidal capacity across the channel region in order to enhance the tidal stream energy.
ORE Catapult Research & Innovation director Dr Stephen Wyatt said: “Developing successful UK and European collaborations is important for the UK tidal energy industry and will help accelerate the economic, environmental and societal benefits which can be derived from this emerging sector.
“This project brings together multiple organisations from across the UK and French supply chains to work towards validating the pathway to commercialisation, ensuring that sustainable, predictable and affordable tidal electricity plays a role our future energy mix as we tackle the global climate emergency.” |
