A new study carried out by Atlantis Resources has identified £2.8million in potential investment and 2GW able to be harnessed within the Raz Blanchard region of Normandy in France.
The study immediately concluded that the region has the potential to create 10,000 jobs while adding 1GW, which Atlantis claims could be operational by 2025.
The data received from the Atlantis study claims that that Le Raz Blanchard has “one of the best tidal energy resources in the world”.
Atlantis also said that the initial 1GW could quickly be upgraded to 2GW by 2027.
The tidal firm say they have “submitted a strategic plan to the French government setting out plans to deliver 1GW of tidal power by 2025 at Le Raz Blanchard which will drive the reduction of Levelized Cost of Energy”.
Atlantis CEO, Tim Cornelius commented: “France is sitting on a low cost renewable energy gold mine at Le Raz Blanchard. Now that the tidal stream industry has been through the R&D phase and is now entering full scale commercialisation, France should be at the forefront of exploiting this environmentally benign, predictable and inexhaustible source of renewable energy.
“Our proposal, if implemented, could quickly create a new industry in France attracting investment in local companies to establish a supply chain capable of delivering more than 1,000, 1.9MW tidal turbines along with their associated foundations and the onshore infrastructure. With the support of the French Government, we can provide energy security, job creation, economic stimulation for the Normandy and Brittany regions along with the opportunity to lead Europe in the field of marine energy generation.”
Atlantis said it is actively pursuing an opportunity to develop a “reference site in/off the Normandy coast” and is seeking the assistance of the French Government to allow investments to be made in Normandy region’s local supply chain and maritime infrastructure.
The company said that discussions have taken place between Atlantis Resources, the French Government and Normandy officials have taken place to discuss the industrial plan.
The Atlantis Resources Meygen project based in the Pentland Firth recently announced the completion of its construction phase and the start of the tidal projects 25 year operational phase.
During Phase 1A the todal array generated 6GW of energy and saw monthly production of 1,400MW a month of tidal energy.
The turbine was first installed for Phase 1A in the Pentland Firth, between Orkney and Caithness, in 2017.