France Will Showcase the Largest Tidal Farm Ever Built in 2012

Despite the fact that France has openly admitted that it can't afford to say goodbye to nuclear power, the nation is excited to welcome extra green power coming from a giant project which will harness the water energy in a particular area located off the coast of France near Paimpol-Bréhat.

The massive earth-friendly project will rely on four enormous hydro turbines, weighting 850 tonnes in order to obtain enough green power to satisfy the demand of up to 4,000 households.

The ambitious objective was drawn in 2004 and the construction began in 2008, with the financial support provided by OpenHydro. Officials behind this project say that tidal-powered system will be fully functional by 2012.

According to the numbers displayed by manufacturers, the green initiative took $55 million out of its sponsors' pockets, but the investment is expected to pay off in the near future, since the demand for earth-friendly power will most likely increase within a few years.

Each giant hydro turbine measures 72 feet in diameter and is placed along the seabed. The entire system counts as a significant source of safe, clean energy but also, they have no impact upon the wellbeing of local communities, due to the fact that the devices are noiseless and invisible form the surface.

Also, they do not represent a threat for the marine population, since the innovative turbines are fish-friendly. The list of advantages is far from ending here.

The entire system is silent underwater, therefore it doesn't harm the wellbeing of the ecosystem. Furthermore, their functioning does not imply the usage of pollutants, under the form of oils and greases.

Along with its main green competitors, solar and wind power, this giant tidal farm will most likely contribute to the development of renewables in France. If the nation isn't ready to abandon nuclear power, at least it is able to welcome safer, earth-friendly alternatives.