Tidal Power Group

[Jason the Maverick]

http://www5.channelonline.tv/news/templates/jerseynews2.aspx?articleid=16221&zoneid=1

It's full steam ahead for the group looking in to bringing tidal power to Jersey.

They've identified three hotspots around the island's coast that could be contenders for renewable energy.

They've recently been speaking to the French about the proposal and say the traditional arrangement where Jersey buys electricity from France could become a thing of the past.

[danrok]

They've recently been speaking to the French about the proposal and say the traditional arrangement where Jersey buys electricity from France could become a thing of the past.

Let's hope so, we are presently being held to ransom over energy prices, by the French.  The fact that we are in close proximity to their nuke activities, makes it all the more insulting.  We are paying for the privilege of leaving near all that!

[verystandrew]

Huge tidal power plan for Scotland

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/scotland/article4837701.ece

[jez strickland]

Huge tidal power plan for Scotland

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/scotland/article4837701.ece

There are approx 142 suitable sites around UK waters for tidal energy. Of those 5 are in Channel Island waters. The most notable is the Alderney Race. There's a smaller one in 'Guernsey', and 3 in 'Jersey' waters.
It's to be noted that Alderney are several years ahead of us in this area, but there again, they do not need Crown permission to exploit their tidal resources. Guernsey and Jersey, however, do need to seek Crown permission for such a venture. Did you know that?
I feel it would be a formality for permission to be granted, but I am concerned over any future financial tie-ins for the Crown. We could find ourselves in a beneficial position ie: sustainable, renewable resource, with security of supply with next-to-zero carbon emissions, only for the Crown to have a go at our finance industry through yet more threats of indirect legislation eg: EU Code of Conduct. This time a case of "concede some of your low tax advantages, or we revoke your Crown permission/demand revenue.
Prehaps we need astute politicians that would ask for the full rights to our territorial waters with the proviso that we offer first refusal to the UK for our surplus generation of electricity. That surplus the UK does not need/want will be sold into the European grid.
Just a thought.

[Stuart Syvret]

Jez

You still haven’t contacted me to explain quite why you hate me so much? Hey! – I’ve no problem that you do – it’s a free society.

It’s just that I always found it more than a little curious on your part.

You know my e-mail address if you’re willing to chat.

Stuart

[lara.luke]

Im sure i read tidal power is not all that favoured in the green paper - draft energy policy by the States. Therefore unlikely to receive States financial backing. Who will be financing this as we would have to have a rival electric company for this or at least a company will to sell the energy to the JEC? JEC's future proposal is to install 3rd cable link and to the best of my knowledge they are not considering tidal power.

[The Rev Peter Sarkey]

I'm in my 50's and came to jersey first when I was 16. Tidal power was topical then but as we know, power is money so the free stuff just got shelved (Rather like the so called free water supply which probably exists)

[en830]

I lived in the UK for 20+ years just outside Bristol, they were talking about a Severn Barrage back then and still are, nothing new

[Sarah Ferguson]

The JEC have, I understand, an investment in tidal as well as wind power.  Unlike the Water company who are incredibly conservative when looking at water supplies for the Island.

There is a 600' bore hole near Lessay which supplies water for 100,000 people.  Why haven't the water company done any real research?  I have just aquired a couple of shares so I can go and rattle cages at their AGM.

[The Rev Peter Sarkey]

dont forget to declare the ! Lol

[lara.luke]

The JEC puchase the majority  of their energy supply from EdF. This supply is mainly nuclear, with a small percentage fron hydro-power. I don t think the JEC chooses the source, EdF do. There is no involvement in local tidal power schemes, there isn't any.

[Sarah Ferguson]

Lara

Absolutely right but being forward looking people the JEC have made investments in the companies developing these renewables.

[sauceyhp]

There's some good research about- Ive been watching a company called Polaris, based in Scotland or some isle off, (rather like us), now has a prototype off Portugal.  Ive always fancied sometype of barrage between here and Guernsey or a bridge to France with wave power being generated. But no barrage across St Aubin's Bay please!

[Paternoster]

Wind power was also a good idea. However there are now objections on environmental grounds to proposed offshore turbines.  What makes everybody so sure that tidal power won't go the same way?

[danrok]

Wind power was also a good idea. However there are now objections on environmental grounds to proposed offshore turbines.  What makes everybody so sure that tidal power won't go the same way?

There may well be negative issues with tidal power.  It's possible that some tidal generators could have unwanted side-effects, such as underwater noise harming fish or mammals.

However, you've got to ask yourself just how sensible it is to bury used nuclear fuel underground, or to keep on using carbon fuels despite carbon-dioxide pollution.

It could be the difference between a few creatures dying, or absolutely everything dying.