MOSCOW (Sputnik) – The European Commission said Wednesday that it considers France’s decision to support a pilot tidal energy plant in the English Channel with state aid to be in line with the bloc’s rules.
“The European Commission has found French plans to support a tidal energy plant to be in line with EU state aid rules. The measure will promote the production of electricity from renewable sources, in line with EU energy and climate goals, without unduly distorting competition in the Single Market,” the Commission stated in a press release.
France plans to support the construction of the Normandie Energie PiloTe HYDrolien (NEPTHYD) tidal energy pilot farm at Raz Blanchard, west of Normandy's Cotentin Peninsula, through a direct grant and repayable advances, which will be reimbursed if the technology proves successful.
The plant is expected to be built and operated for 20 years by a subsidiary of the France-based energy supplier Engie.
