The SHINES project (Showcasing Hydrokinetic Energy Innovations for Northwest European Energy Sovereignty), launched this week in Lille at the headquarters of the Interreg North-West Europe (ENO) program, brings together 14 partners* from France, Ireland, Belgium, the Netherlands, Switzerland, and Germany. The OPEN-C Foundation, the sole operator of France’s offshore testing centers for floating wind and marine renewable energies, will lead the project.
A winner of the 4th call for projects from the Interreg ENO program, SHINES aims to unlock the hydrokinetic potential of the region, which remains largely underdeveloped in the ENO area. With a total budget of €10 million, 60% of which is supported by the ERDF – European Regional Development Fund, this ambitious project will last until December 2028.
North-Western Europe is a prime location for the development of marine and river hydrokinetic energy, thanks to its unique natural characteristics: gulfs, straits, islands, and large rivers, which offer promising conditions. Despite the potential of hydrokinetic energy, its development within the countries of the ENO area requires investment to overcome the remaining political, economic, and regulatory barriers.
SHINES will address these challenges by developing innovative technological and techno-economic solutions that will be demonstrated in real-world conditions in France and the Netherlands (RivGen, HydroWing, TidalKite). An action plan will also be implemented at more than 10 high-potential sites, to encourage dozens of organizations to adopt tidal and river energy systems.
The OPEN-C Foundation, Project Leader
The OPEN-C Foundation is the French testing center for floating wind and marine renewable energies. It draws on a decade of experience in de-risking technologies through the development, operation, and maintenance of several offshore test sites.
Bertrand Alessandrini, CEO of the OPEN-C Foundation: “We are excited to implement this important project for the industry with the development of several projects that will be demonstrated in real conditions on OPEN-C sites, particularly the Paimpol-Bréhat site in Brittany and SEENEOH in Bordeaux. Coinciding with the consultation of the PPE3 decree, which moves in the right direction for hydrokinetic energy, this is a promising project.”
A Project Aligned with French and European Regulations
The project aligns with the French Multiannual Energy Program (PPE3) and its draft decree, which now offers a roadmap for hydrokinetic energy. SHINES is also in line with the European carbon-neutral strategy (Net-Zero Strategy) and the European Regulation on Critical Raw Materials. SHINES will contribute to the industry’s goals of 1 GW of ocean energy capacity by 2030 and 40 GW by 2050.
Ocean energy is expected to create 400,000 highly skilled jobs by 2050, revitalizing coastal communities whose history is rooted in shipbuilding, fishing, and the oil and gas industries.
Project Partners: | OPEN-C Foundation (Lead Partner)
| ORPC Ireland
| SeaQurrent
| Inyanga Tech
| Bretagne Développement Innovation
| Gemeente Ameland
| Amelander Energiecoöperatie
| Cerema
| Federal Waterways Engineering and Research Institute (Bundesanstalt für Wasserbau)
| Western Switzerland University of Applied Sciences (Haute Ecole Spécialisée de Suisse Occidentale)
| Carl von Ossietzky University Oldenburg
| ÉireComposites Teo.
| Foras na Mara – Marine Institute
| University of Liège
Source: fondation-open-c
