3 pilot test sites
Ameland
Tidal Site
Located near one of the Dutch Wadden Islands, the Ameland Test Site offers predictable tidal currents, access to grid infrastructure and a supportive regional ecosystem for renewable energy innovation. By providing a real-world environment for testing and demonstration, the site enables to gain practical experience that supports the future of tidal energy technologies.
The site allows researchers and developers to better understand the opportunities and challenges associated with deploying tidal energy systems in sensitive coastal environments.
Testing full-scale tidal turbines
Located off the coast of Bréhat Island, the Paimpol-Bréhat site is dedicated to testing full-scale tidal turbines. It serves as a strategic tool at European level to help validate tidal turbine demonstrators and prepare for future pilot and commercial farms. The test site is exceptional due to its challenging wave and tidal conditions, as well as the expertise and operational connection infrastructure available. The offshore area covers an area of 3.5 hectares.
A 15-kilometre export cable connects it to the onshore delivery station at Ploubazlanec. It connects to the public grid with a feed-in capacity of 2.5 MW.
A test site dedicated to testing medium-scale tidal turbines
Located in the heart of Bordeaux on the River Garonne, the site covers an area of 7 hectares on either side of the Pont de Pierre. The temporary occupation permit is issued by the Grand Port Maritime de Bordeaux. Launched in 2017 by Energie de la Lune and its partners, the site offers several sites connected to the public grid via an on-site electrical substation. Given its tidal conditions, the site is suitable for small tidal turbines with a capacity of several dozen kilowatts. They may be designed to be installed in major rivers, or be a scaled-down version of a multi-megawatt offshore model.