GDF SUEZ bolsters its plans for marine current power in France with the signing of a partnership agreement with Alstom Tuesday, Oct 01, 2013
This agreement is part of the strategy of GDF SUEZ to bring together all interests in a position to participate in the creation of a new French industrial sector.
GDF SUEZ is thus consolidating its industrial partnerships to outfit the pilot tidal energy farm at Raz Blanchard with ALSTOM turbines in complement to the VOITH turbines. Last February, GDF SUEZ signed a first partnership agreement with VOITH, CMN, Cofely-Endel and ACE for assembly and maintenance of a pilot turbine plant at Cherbourg.
Through the present agreement, the partners are marshaling and pooling their expertise and skills to:
creat a marine current sector in France;
achieve industrial competitiveness and performance;
schedule commissioning the first machines as of 2016;
develop an optimized operating and maintenance strategy;
ensure the safety of persons and property.
The goal of GDF SUEZ is to be front-line player in marine current renewable energy and position itself at the two largest French tidal power sites where 80% of the potential of this energy source are concentrated – Raz Blanchard off the Cotentin coast, and Fromveur offshore Finistère. In the Fromveur zone, GDF SUEZ is continuing its development studies based on a partnership agreement signed in June 2012 with the Quimper based company SABELLA that is currently completing the construction of the D10 tidal energy turbine.
GDF SUEZ develops its marine current projects together with local players and therefore takes environmental considerations and maritime practices into account, particularly those important to the local fishing industry.
With close to 10,000 MW of installed power capacity in France, more than 50% of which from renewable energy sources, GDF SUEZ has made renewable energy one of the major focuses of its development. For example, the Group is France's leader in onshore wind power, with over 1,200 MW of power in production, and the country's second largest hydroelectric power producer, with 3,800 MW of installed capacity.
