This Is Guernsey

By Joel de Woolfson

TIDAL power generated off the coast of Guernsey has moved a step closer. Marine Current Turbines, of which Guernsey Electricity is a minority shareholder, has announced a major tidal turbine project off Anglesey.

The UK company, together with electricity giant npower, has unveiled plans to build a tidal farm capable of producing renewable energy for about 10,000 UK homes.

It is claimed to be one of the first commercial projects of its type in the world and could be in operation as early as 2011.

Ian Watson, Guernsey Electricity managing director, said it was an exciting development and Npower’s involvement underlined the industry’s growing confidence in Marine Current Turbines’ design.

‘We believe tidal generation represents by far the most suitable source of renewable energy for Guernsey.

‘The announcement of this major scheme is a serious indication of faith in MCT’s technology,’ he said.

The location chosen, known as the Skerries, is said to be one of the prime locations in UK waters for such a project, due to its favourable tidal conditions.

Guernsey has also been identified as having similar potential.

‘The possibilities for wind power in Guernsey are limited, simply because we don’t have the space available to deploy this technology on a large scale,’ Mr Watson said.

‘However, where tidal-stream generation is concerned, the waters around us are considered some of the best in the world.

‘The prospect of the island being able to generate clean, renewable electricity is very real and with this announcement that possibility is now a good deal closer.’

In a separate development, Marine Current Turbines has also announced that its full-scale turbine design will be installed in Strangford Lough, Northern Ireland, next month.

This will be the first commercial-sized tidal stream device to be connected to an electricity grid.

Scientists will study the turbine for three months to assess any effects on the local marine habitat.

Martin Wright, MCT managing director, said the company had carried out extensive engineering before its installation and operation.

‘As long as the weather is good and there are no last minute operational issues to contend with, we should have SeaGen deployed by the end of March,’ he said.