France has made a significant stride in advancing its tidal energy sector by pledging a minimum of €65 million in funding and dedicated revenue support for the pioneering tidal energy farm known as FloWatt. The announcement, made by Agnès Pannier-Runacher, the French Minister for Energy Transition, not only marks a major milestone for the country's tidal energy industry but also sets an example for other European Union (EU) member states to follow suit.

FloWatt is poised to become the largest tidal farm in the world, boasting the highest number of turbines and the largest capacity, making it a true flagship project. Anticipated to commence operations in 2026, this pilot farm will cater to the electricity needs of approximately 20,000 people for two decades.

The project is a strategic collaboration between Qair, the project developer, HydroQuest, the technology developer, and Constructions Mécaniques de Normandie (CMN), the industrial partner. Following a successful two-year testing program in Paimphol-Bréhat, FloWatt will deploy seven 2.5MW turbines in Normandy's Raz Blanchard, one of the world's most powerful tidal sites.

Minister Agnès Pannier-Runacher emphasized the importance of renewable marine energies in France's energy strategy. While offshore wind power remains a primary focus, the development of other marine sectors is crucial for diversifying and decarbonizing the country's energy mix. This support for the FloWatt tidal turbine pilot farm aligns with the government's objective to reindustrialize the nation and bolster emerging sectors, as previously done with offshore wind power.

Ocean Energy Europe, the industry association for Europe's ocean energy sector, lauded the French government's commitment, highlighting its significance in affirming tidal energy as both an industrial opportunity and a vital component of the energy transition. The announcement serves as a timely response to increased activity and investment in ocean energy globally, particularly in the United States and China. Ocean Energy Europe stressed the need for a broader push at the EU level to secure Europe's electricity supply through greater indigenous production.

Rémi Gruet, CEO of Ocean Energy Europe, welcomed the news, emphasizing the importance of revenue support for new pilot farms. The commitment from the French government adds France to the list of countries, including the United Kingdom and China, that are providing such support. Gruet called on other EU member states to take note and take action to ensure Europe's access to indigenous, cost-effective electricity and to prevent future energy crises.

With the EU targeting 40GW of ocean energy by 2050, a new goal for innovative renewables in the 2023 EU Renewable Energy Directive, and the recognition of ocean energy as a strategic net-zero technology, there has been a surge in political momentum in recent years. Now, it is essential for member states to translate this momentum into concrete actions by scaling up ocean energy deployments and reaping the rewards both domestically and internationally, according to Ocean Energy Europe.