Tidal turbine deployed to France
Irish marine turbine manufacturer OpenHydro has announced the deployment of its first tidal turbine in French waters.
This is the first of two turbines due to be sent to EDF’s tidal farm off the coast of Birttany at Paimpol-Brehat.
James Ives, OpenHydro’s chief executive, said: “The first of two OpenHydro tidal turbines on EDF’s Paimpol-Bréhat site has been successfully deployed.”
He continued: “After a series of successful tests evaluating mechanical and electrical performance, the turbine was towed out to sea on 20 January and deployed by the OpenHydro barge.”
The 16m turbines will make the site one of the world’s first grid-connected turbine arrays once they are connected.
Full installation and completion of the project is expected to be during early summer 2016.
Mr Ives added: “The Paimpol-Bréhat development is an essential step in progressing towards commercial scale arrays”
He concluded: “It will allow EDF and OpenHydro to benefit from invaluable experience and help prepare for the Normandie Hydro project, which will see seven tidal turbines in the Raz Blanchard by 2018.”
By Alice Mason
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