FloWatt: The world's most powerful tidal farm
Located in Raz Blanchard in Normandy, one of the most energetic tidal currents on the planet, FloWatt will be the most powerful tidal farm ever deployed.
Its objective
Bring about the commercial deployment of marine tidal energy from 2026, giving rise to a new sector of the renewable energy industry in France that will play a full part in the French and European electricity mix. A new, 100% predictable carbon-free source of electricity.
Its history
Taken over by Hydroquest in 2020, the project aims to install 6 latest-generation HQ 2.8 turbines.
Joined by energy company Qair in 2021, Flowatt continued its development until it received the unprecedented support of the French government in 2023 as part of the France 2030 plan.
The FloWatt project has received support from the French government (France 2030) in the form of a €75 million investment grant and repayable advances, plus a 20-year feed-in tariff for the electricity produced. FloWatt has also received a €20M grant from the European Union’s Innovation Fund.
A project supported by:
Hydropower:
a French energy lever
The tidal turbine farm will provide our regions with a sustainable supply of renewable electricity, thanks to the power of tidal currents.
Predictable
A 100% predictable renewable energy: The natural movements of the tides are mainly linked to the gravitational forces of the Moon, thus guaranteeing a totally predictable production of electricity.
Powerful
High potential for available energy: with a 5 GW deposit that can be mobilised immediately, tidal power is a renewable energy with high potential. A real force for strengthening France’s energy independence.
Competitive
Cost-competitive energy as early as 2030: With a production cost comparable to that of floating wind turbines, tidal turbines will rapidly become competitive and win a place of choice in the low-carbon electricity mix.
Virtuous
Energy with minimal environmental impact: with an extremely low impact on the marine environment and a structure that is easily recyclable at the end of its life, tidal turbines will ensure environmentally friendly renewable electricity production.
Invisible
Discreet technology: Fully immersed and moored to the seabed, the tidal turbines do not generate visual, noise or maritime disturbances.
Local
An energy at the heart of the local economy: marine tidal power will benefit SMEs and mid-caps in the region and their suppliers. The industrialisation of the sector will enable the creation of 6,000 jobs in France from 2030.
Key figures
5GW
potential already identified in France and over 100GW worldwide
6000 direct and indirect
jobs in France by 2030
80 €/MWh
from 1GW in production, a very competitive cost of electricity
6 tidal turbines
of 2.8 MW = 17 MW, to be manufactured by CMN in Cherbourg
The
project in detail
A strategic alliance
Committed to responsible energy and convinced of the potential of tidal power in France and worldwide, the collaboration between the independent renewable energy producer Qair Marine and the French tidal power leader Hydroquest constitutes a strategic alliance for the worldwide development of the tidal power sector. Together with their industrial partner CMN, they are now among the leaders in the worldwide development of the tidal power sector.
Innovative and robust technology
The HQ 2.8 tidal turbine was developed by Hydroquest in partnership with a number of French industrial, scientific and academic partners.
A robust technology, validated by the success of the 1MW turbine test project, which operated for 2 years (2019-2021) at the Paimpol-Bréhat test site in Brittany. A feat that has made it possible to certify the reliability of this technology, as the turbine has demonstrated 100% availability. The new generation benefits from feedback on this already proven concept and offers better performance. Its design has been simplified to make it lighter and it remains robust because it does not use any new components and is designed to last 25 years.
A local and efficient project
Characteristics of the pilot farm :
- Total power of 17 MW, thanks to 6 HQ 2.8 tidal turbines, manufactured in Cherbourg by CMN, also a partner in the Flowatt project.
- Annual production equivalent to the electricity consumption of 20,000 inhabitants.
- Local production, since 60% of the project value has already been allocated to French companies.
- Turbines close to the coast (3 km) but submerged at a depth of 30-35m, therefore completely invisible
The FloWatt team
Independent producer of renewable energy for over 30 years. Qair develops, finances, builds and operates onshore and offshore wind farms, solar photovoltaic power plants and renewable hydrogen production projects.
- Company active in 20 countries in Europe, Latin America and Africa;
- 730 employees committed to the energy transition;
- A subsidiary of the Qair Group, Qair Marine is in charge of the development of Marine Renewable Energies:
- Two years of operation on the turbine of the Floatgen floating wind turbine prototype, the first offshore wind turbine installed in France;
- Leader of the Eolmed project, a pilot farm for floating offshore wind turbines;
- Winner of the Scotwind tender in Scotland for 2 GW of projects;
- Leader of the Flowatt project, Raz-Blanchard tidal turbine pilot farm;
- Candidate for French tenders for floating and land-based offshore wind projects.
French leader in marine tidal power. HydroQuest designs, manufactures and installs tidal turbine farms capable of producing electricity from marine currents.
- Created in 2010 and based near Grenoble in the heart of the world cradle of hydroelectricity.
- Portfolio of 9 international patents in partnership with EDF and Grenoble-INP, the basis of a high-performance technology that is unique in the world.
- Team of 30 people, experts in hydraulics, mechanical and electrical engineering, offshore operations and project management (80% engineers, 5 PhDs).
Civilian and military shipyard, located in Cherbourg near the Raz Blanchard
- Staff of 500, turnover > €200 million.
- Comprehensive expertise in the design/construction of complex integrated turnkey facilities.
- Tidal power is a strategic development area for CMN:
- Assembly of the VOITH prototype in 2013 before its immersion in Scotland;
- Industrial and financial partnership with HYDROQUEST since 2015;
- An existing industrial tool perfectly suited to the construction of marine tidal turbines.
Our partners
