Two workers prepare to install one of OpenHydro’s groundbreaking tidal turbines. With the harnassing of similar technology, Alderney’s outlook, not to say that of Longis Bay – the proposed location of the scheme – could be changed forever. (0671100)

NOBODY in the island can get enough of tidal energy at the moment. The subject has, yet again, dominated the recent agenda after coming to a head at Monday evening’s States meeting.

Politicians met nine days early to give developer Alderney Renewable Energy (Are) the chance to say ‘oui’ to French energy company RTE, which has given it the option of supplying electricity to the Continent.

Legal wrangling had threatened to derail negotiations between the Alderney Commission for Renewable Energy (Acre), the States’ representatives and Are. However, any sticking points were ironed out before the States was asked to allow Are the chance to harness energy from the tides in Longis Bay two years earlier than originally planned.

As is common knowledge by now, the States backed Acre’s recommendation and has allowed Are to sign a contract with RTE.

And despite the rumours, speculation and innuendo that often dominate life in Alderney, I believe it was the only course of action available to the States when taking all the facts into account.

Belief, optimism and fear are the main reasons why six out of Alderney’s 10 politicians gave the plans the green light.

Belief because they have faith in Acre and Are, optimism because tidal technology is progressing at a rate of knots and fear because the thought of losing out and seeing others prosper is difficult to stomach.

And it was fear, perhaps, that led some to give the latest plans the thumbs up.

During Monday’s meeting, Ian Tugby said that 25 years from now, islanders would look back in horror if tidal energy had progressed in other parts of the world and not here. It was a view echoed by Richard Willmott and one that seemed to resonate with the majority of members.

Quite simply, the six who voted in favour of bringing the project forward two years seemed to do so because they don’t want to be remembered as the people who rejected a chance to earn the island millions of pounds a year.

If Alderney had decided to wait and see, the island would have risked relinquishing the tag of world leader in tidal energy.

It would also have risked allowing other islands, including Guernsey and Sark, the opportunity to advance their plans while we waited to see what the future might hold for this groundbreaking technology.

In my opinion, these latest tidal energy developments are not about signing Alderney’s life away to developers who believe they can exploit the island and earn vast sums for harnessing our tides. This latest contract is simply about giving this tiny island the chance to harness a potentially limitless resource which offers mesmerising possibilities.

It’s also about giving little Alderney the chance to lead the world in a sector which could help reduce carbon emissions substantially and minimise the impact of global warming.

Islanders must remember that Alderney is taking no financial risk with this project, while at the same time it is giving itself the opportunity to become globally renowned for leading the fight against climate change.

And if that isn’t worth voting for, I don’t know what is.