French Tidal Energy Project Clears another Hurdle

EU competition regulators approved on Thursday French support for an EDF-operated tidal energy project, saying the scheme was in line with the bloc's energy and climate goals.

The Normandie Hydro plant, located at Raz Blanchard on the English channel and to be developed by OpenHydro, will be made up of seven turbines with a power generation capacity of 14 megawatts.

French authorities will provide operating and investment aid, part of which will be repayable advances that will be reimbursed if the technology is successful.

"The Commission found that the project promotes market penetration of a novel renewable energy technology and that the level of aid is proportionate and will not lead to overcompensation, in line with the guidelines," the European Commission said.

(Reporting by Foo Yun Chee; editing by Robert-Jan Bartunek)