What is tidal energy?

Tidal energy (also known as marine energy) harnesses the movements of tides, waves, and temperature differences in the oceans to generate electricity.

The first tidal mills were built in the 12th century on the Adour River in the Landes region of France, and the first modern tidal power plant built to produce electricity was the one on the Rance River in the Côtes-d'Armor department. Inaugurated in 1966, this plant, with its 240 MW capacity, was the most powerful tidal power plant in the world for 45 years, until 2011. It remains the primary source of electricity production in Brittany, accounting for 45% of the region's total electricity production in 2012 (approximately 500 GWh/year).