Paimpol-Bréhat Test Site Report
by Fondation OPEN‑C
Deliverable D.1.1.1
As part of the EU SHINES project, Deliverable D1.1.1 presents a comprehensive report on the Paimpol‑Bréhat tidal test site, operated by OPEN‑C in Brittany, France. This publication provides a clear overview of the technical, regulatory, environmental and operational framework required to host tidal energy demonstrators at sea.
The Paimpol‑Bréhat site is a well-established offshore test facility dedicated to grid-connected tidal turbine technologies. It benefits from dedicated infrastructure, including a submarine export cable, an onshore substation and a secure data communication system, enabling the testing of full-scale prototypes in real marine conditions.
The report also highlights the site’s metocean characteristics, such as strong tidal currents and local environmental constraints, which are key inputs for the design, deployment and operation of marine energy systems. It further details the regulatory framework that applies to activities on site, including environmental authorisations and offshore safety requirements.
A strong focus is placed on the structured process for welcoming demonstrators, ensuring a high level of safety, coordination and environmental compliance throughout the different project phases.
Environmental monitoring is another important aspect of the report, especially given the site’s location within a Natura 2000 area and the need to assess impacts across the lifecycle of each demonstrator.
Overall, this deliverable provides a robust and practical framework to support innovation in tidal energy and to facilitate future deployments within SHINES and beyond.