Natural Power and its sister company SeaRoc have received a contract from EDF to oversee the health, safety, and the environment (HSE) and marine operations of the Paimpol–Bréhat tidal farm which is under construction off the coast of Paimpol–Bréhat in North Brittany in France.
The Paimpol-Bréhat tidal turbine demonstration farm is being developed by EDF at approximately 16km out at sea and 35m deep off Ile-de- Bréhat near Paimpol, France.
The contract comes in line with the two companies’ effort to develop their offshore energy capabilities in France.
Since 2011, SeaRoc has been providing marine and HSE advice for the marine operations for the project.
Both the companies will provide tidal energy and turbine installation experts to EDF having French speaking skills to ensure that the project complies with the health and safety requirement.
SeaRoc operations director David Wotherspoon said: "Natural Power and SeaRoc have extensive experience in offshore renewable energy – combining our expertise enables us to provide a service that meets the specific needs of EDF on this project, and harness the strength of this partnership for our French clients in the future."
EDF tested the first turbine, named L’Arcouest, at the site from December 2013 to April 2014.
The L’Arcouest turbine was developed by DCNS-owed OpenHydro.
From 2015, OpenHydro, in partnership with EDF, plans to develop, install and test two turbines at the site.
The tidal project will feature a General Electric-built electrical conversion system to enable electricity supply to a new onshore substation located close to the Arcouest Peninsula in Ploubazlanec, and then to the French grid.
The project is expected to be first tidal farm in the world to be connected to the grid, upon completion.
Image: OpenHydro developed the first turbine for the Paimpol-Bréhat tidal farm in France. Photo: courtesy of OpenHydro/DCNS.