OpenHydro has announced that the first of its two tidal turbines destined for EDF's Paimpol-Bréhat tidal development has been successfully deployed.
After a series of successful tests evaluating mechanical and electrical performance, the 16m-diameter turbine was towed out to sea on Wednesday 20th January and deployed by the OpenHydro barge, company chief executive James Ives said.
"When both Open-Centre Turbines are connected to the grid, before summer 2016, the project will be among the world's first grid connected turbine arrays," commented Ives. "The Paimpol-Bréhat development is an essential step in progressing towards commercial scale arrays. It will allow EDF and OpenHydro to benefit from invaluable experience and help prepare for the Normandie Hydro project, which will see seven tidal turbines in the Raz Blanchard by 2018."
