SHINES Project Will Harness Tidal, River Energy in European Region

The SHINES project, or Showcasing Hydrokinetic energy Innovations for Northwest European Energy Sovereignty, is underway, bringing together 14 partners from France, Ireland, Belgium, the Netherlands, Switzerland, and Germany. Co-financed by Interreg North-West Europe under the fourth call for projects, SHINES is set to unlock the potential of tidal and river energy systems, an opportunity still largely untapped in the region. With a total budget of €10M ($10.9 million), including 60% ERDF funding, this ambitious project led by OPEN-C Foundation will span from January 2025 to December 2028. The northwestern part of Europe is a prime location for tidal and river energy development, thanks to its unique natural features. Specific locations—gulfs, straits, islands, inlets, and spots along large rivers—offer promising conditions. Despite its potential, tidal and river energy in the region requires further investment to overcome political, economic, and regulatory hurdles. [caption id="attachment_230815" align="alignnone" width="640"]

The HydraWing tidal energy device. Source: Inyanga Marine Energy Group[/caption] SHINES will address these challenges by replicating and scaling up three innovative solutions (HydroWing, RivGen and TidalKite) through grid connections and real sea deployments in France and the Netherlands. Some of the most promising sites across the region will be developed, engaging 100 organizations in the adoption of tidal and river energy systems. Inyanga is delighted to be a partner in the SHINES project, using its patented HydroWing technology. Inyanga will design, construct and install a grid-connected 600kW tidal energy turbine on the Paimpol-Bréhat test site in France, then operate and monitor the device throughout the test period. In addition, Inyanga will install and maintain the SeaQurrent TidalKite device at Paimpol-Bréhat, managing all offshore operations. Interreg North-West Europe's wealth of expertise in water management, hydrodynamics, flow measurements, and innovative technologies such as HydroWing, RivGen and TidalKite provide a solid foundation for progress. SHINES will catalyze transnational collaboration, enabling the region to consolidate efforts, quantify its energy potential, and drive investments to achieve generation capacity targets. The project is aligned with Europe's Net-Zero Strategy and the Critical Raw Materials Act, contributing to the goals of 1 GW of ocean energy capacity by 2030, and 40 GW by 2050. Ocean energy holds the promise of creating 400,000 high-value jobs by 2050, revitalizing coastal communities with histories rooted in shipbuilding, fishing, and oil and gas industries. —POWER edited this content, which was supplied by the communications team for Inyanga Marine Energy Group.