Underwater turbines in Normandy to generate electricity from the tides

Electricity from the sea: a power plant is to be built off the coast of Normandy that will generate electricity from the tidal currents.

NH1 is the name of the project, which is to be built in the Strait of Alderney, around 3.5 kilometers off the coast of Normandy. Four tidal turbines with a capacity of 3 megawatts each are to be installed on the seabed there. The European Union (EU) is funding the project with 31.3 million euros.

The AR3000 turbines are similar to wind turbines, but the blades are much smaller. Moved by the passing water, they are expected to produce 34 gigawatt hours of electricity per year. According to manufacturer Normandie Hydroliennes, this is enough to supply 15,000 people. NH1 is scheduled to go online in 2028.

Electricity from the sea

The sea is constantly on the move, and its movements can be used to generate electricity. There are several possibilities. One is to harness the power of the waves with floating generators or generators attached to the seabed, such as the CX2 energy buoy.

The other option is to tap into the tidal current, such as the Dragon 12 from Minesto, which produces electricity for the Faroe Islands. As the tides change regularly, electricity generation is easier to plan than with wind or solar power plants, for example.

There are very strong tidal currents off the coast of France. Where NH1 is generated, the current reaches speeds of up to 12 knots (around 22 km/h) during spring tides. The world's first tidal power plant was also built on the French Atlantic coast: The Usine marémotrice de la Rance in Brittany, in the estuary of the River Rance near St. Malo, has been supplying electricity since 1967.

(wpl)