AN OFFER from an Alderney company to spearhead the possibility of tapping into tidal power will be assessed over the next few months. Alderney Renewable Energy, which was set up by Paul Clark, has offered the Alderney States 70% of its equity in return for a licence to investigate the island’s potential for extracting energy from waves.

He first presented his idea to the States in May last year.

‘The idea was based on the appreciation of the tides around Alderney and a curiosity as to whether it could be harnessed,’ he said.

‘Having done some research and formulated ideas, I presented it to the States; this is when it was realised that there is an emerging market that has the potential to extract energy from the tides.’

A panel will soon be formed to examine the offer and lay the foundation for what could bring immense wealth to the island – its tides are said to be the third-fastest in the world.

If the panel gives the go-ahead to Alderney Renewable Energy, then the company will set about investigating the tidal flow stream and use the findings to persuade technology developers to use the island’s waters to test their products.

‘If successful in attracting research projects to Alderney, the economic benefit of bringing workers here would be considerable because they will be using all of the island’s facilities,’ said Mr Clark, a resident for a few years, who started the island’s recycling scheme.

He was a regular visitor to Alderney as a child.

The company would work alongside Cranfield University – one of western Europe’s largest academic centres for strategic and applied research, development and design – to attract research projects and plans to source funding through grants.

The effects on marine life and the overall environment would be an instrumental component of the research phase.

‘Full environmental impact assessments would be carried out and research into the effects on marine life would be a very important element of our work,’ said Mr Clark.

If the project were successful, Alderney could be looking at producing electricity for export within 10 years.

‘During the research phase you will get detailed information as to exactly what tidal resource Alderney has and probably in 10 years’ time the industry will be mature enough for the States of Alderney to make a decision whether it has the resource and desire to generate electricity for commercial export.’

But the long-term generation of wealth will happen only if the product is exported.

‘If it became a viable proposition, what we must look for is other outlets for the power – we would produce more power than Alderney would use so would need to find a way of exporting it,’ said States member John Postlethwaite. ‘As a by-product, Alderney would be able to have cheaper electricity for itself. But it cannot be used solely for use in Alderney because the capital outlay is far too much.’