French Government Releases Report on Marine Renewables

Arnaud Montebourg, Minister of Productive Recovery, Delphine Batho, Minister of Ecology, Sustainable Development and Energy, and Frederic Cuvillier, Deputy Minister of Transport, Sea and Fisheries, welcomed the publication of the report on the prospects of development of marine renewable energy, which was presented on April 15 at the national debate on energy transition.

This report is a result of a joint mission of the General Council of the Environment and Sustainable Development and the General Council of the Economy, Industry, Energy and Technology. It provides an inventory of available technologies (hydrokinetic energy, floating offshore wind, wave and tidal power, ocean thermal energy, seawater air conditioning (SWAC) and osmosis energy) and examines the industrial, economic, legal and environmental issues associated with the development of this new energy production.

The report, available on the website of Ministry of Ecology, Sustainable Development and Energy, reflects the good position of the French industry in this area. It particularly constitutes an essential need for the establishment of support adapted to pilot projects, announced by Delphine Batho on February 25, in order to put France in a good position to face global competition in full swing.

On this basis, the marine energy can fully participate in the French energy transition with the best chance of returning for industrial export activities with high added value and skilled industrial jobs.

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Offshore WIND Staff, May 8, 2013; Image: