ALDERNEY could take electricity from the sea within the next 10 years. Experiments on the development of specialised turbines are at present going ahead. It is expected that units suitable for use in the waters off Alderney will be available within the next five to 10 years.

‘The tidal flows in certain areas around Alderney have been identified as a potential resource for the harnessing of energy for the production of electricity,’ said John Postlethwaite, deputy chairman of the Policy and Finance Committee.

‘As the tidal flows around the island are considerable, harnessing these flows raises the possibility of generating considerable revenue for the island.’

The committee is set to make more technical and legal inquiries before a full report is presented to the Alderney States.

But it will ask the House next week if it supports ‘in principle’ the foundation of a company to safeguard the potentially valuable resource, in line with an approach from a local resident.

Bob Allwood, director of offshore technology at Cranfield University, technical consultants to the project, would tap the energy resource for the benefit of Alderney residents.

‘The island possesses, close to its shores, some of the highest tide-induced currents to be found in the world,’ said Mr Allwood.

‘Although work [on tidal-current energy machines] is generally agreed to be in its infancy, the pace of development in this field is accelerating rapidly.’

A tidal test site off the island would be planned and made available to organisations involved in research, development and manufacture of tidal-current energy devices. ‘The existence of fast currents in a location easily accessible to manufacturing centres in the UK and Europe makes Alderney the ideal location for a tidal-current test facility.’

System manufacturers would be invited to pay to use the test facility, which could include shore-based laboratories and office accommodation, linked to the site by submarine cable.

Mr Allwood said that a joint-venture company would have wider access to funding opportunities than any of the individual parties.

‘The long-term aim is to install an efficient and reliable tidal-generating system to provide the island with a new source of income from the sale of energy via submarine cable to France, Guernsey and the UK,’ he added.

Mr Allwood said that some part-generation of Alderney’s energy needs may be possible.

‘Alderney’s potential contribution towards the EU targets set for the use of renewable energy of 10% by 2010 and 20% by 2020 would certainly promote Alderney’s image in this environmentally conscious world, effectively creating a centre of excellence in this new and exciting technology.’