ALDERNEY has written off the cash it spent on setting up a body of tidal power regulators.

Finance Advisory Group chairman Colin Williams recently revealed that the £140,000 expended on the Alderney Commission for Renewable Energy between 2005 and 2008 would not be recouped as originally planned.

Acre was due to pay the money back after collecting its first licence fee payment from developer Alderney Renewable Energy but has now indicated it cannot afford to.

Acre recently received more than £390,000 in licence fee payments and interest from Are but has budgeted to spend more than £350,000.

Mr Williams said while the States had hoped to recoup some of their past costs, Acre has indicated the infrastructure needs to be put in place now to ensure it has the necessary information on Alderney’s tidal resource to discharge its environmental responsibilities. This will also help in negotiations with both existing and future operators.

Outgoing Acre chairman Gordon Fitton was unavailable for comment.

Former States members Frank Dean (pictured) and Barbara Benfield have criticised the States for not demanding the money back.

‘Mr Williams’s mantra, “user pays”, is now “loser pays”. The loser, once again, is the community,’ said Mr Dean.