From Brian Le Fondré.
I NOTE with interest Meridian’s adverse comments in his article Under the Clock on the subject of tidal power for Jersey (JEP, 29 December).

It seems to me that the States decision to allocate half a million pounds to investigate such an important topic is money well spent, even in the current financial climate. In fact, it could be said that it is their best decision so far this year.

While I agree with Meridian that tidal currents using tidal mills in the waters around Jersey are not the best option for generating our electricity, the rise and fall of the tides (second only to the Bay of Fundy) using a barrage would be ideal in my view.

Since completing my feasibility study into tidal power for Jersey in 1981 (which proved that a barrage system like La Rance would work well here), I have improved on the scheme in such a way that my new proposed project would generate a maximum of 200Mw of electricity and could make us totally self-sufficient with regard to our energy needs if necessary.

Thus we would become independent of the total reliance on the French interconnectors, and could possibly even sell electricity back to EDF in the future.

My new scheme would not only provide the Island with ‘green’ electricity, but would also provide new large docks for St Helier, increased marina facilities etc, as well as a new road link from St Helier to Noirmont (as previously indicated) which, I would point out, would not interfere with shipping in the area.

Finally, I would say to Meridian that what he has said about tidal power in Jersey appears to me to be just so much hot air. But, there again, he may have invested unwisely in wind power. Who knows?
6 Fair Oaks,
St Clement.