Tidal power in the pipeline
Tuesday 28th September 2010, 2:56PM BST.
Feasibility studies have been carried out in the area between the north coast and the Ecréhous
TIDAL power could provide half of Jersey’s electricity in the future, according to the chairman of the Jersey Tidal Power Commission.
Grouville Constable Dan Murphy told the States this morning that initial feasibility studies on the Le Ruau channel – located between the north coast and the Ecréhous – had shown that tidal power could make a real contribution to meeting the Island’s energy needs.
But he said that until the technology to use it came down in price, it would remain cheaper to buy nuclear power from France.
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oh please JEP dont make it sound as though this is some brain wave new idea. Tidal power has been in force in the Mersey Bay off the coast of Wales/The Wirral for a number of years.
Jersey with its relative wealth could have been in the forefront of tidal power if they had got their act together and invested accordingly but now, as usual, they have missed the boat!
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Nuclear is definately the way forwards!! Especially with advancements in safety and disposal.
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Hmm. I am sure that the ‘market’ keeps the price of French Nuclear power just below the price of burning oil.
How much cheaper would French Nuclear power be if it was competing with Tidal power?
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This is something that i think jersey should be spending on. Rather then a £300 million water front or other silly expenses lets spend some money on becoming more independant and become a world leader in energy use. Why only half of our power why cant we look at all of it. We certainly have enough tidal power to do it.
Some indication of cost would have been nice in the story to put it all in perspective.
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Hold on!!
We have a “Jersey Tidal Power Commission”??
Surely the state-owned JEC will have their own people looking at different ways to produce energy for the island rather than another separate department???
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There are many ways to generate electricity but it won’t happen if it’s uneconomic.
And yet another lost opportunity for Jersey to lead the world?? Methinks it’s time for someone to “get real”. Jersey is very small, it’s not the only place in the world with strong tides. Many maritime countries have spent years and millions trying to exploit the generating potential of the sea. There is not a single maritime generator that is running at full scale and economic. So, still plenty of time for Jersey and its millions, not to mention expertise in this field, to do what the rest of the world has, so far, failed to do!!! Do “get real”, Frenchie.
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What a half hearted article. Costs of set up should of at least been stated in this article.
I really believe that Jersey has missed a trick by not utilising the world’s 3rd highest tidal movement. It is guaranteed (unlike wind), clean and will not have potential devastating effects from accidents or leakage.
I don’t know if it will costs millions or even billions to set up. Maybe the islands could have done a tie in with EDF.
I believe the energy available out there surely could be utilised to supply all our electricity needs and maybe sell excess onto the French/Europe grid.
One day France will turn round and either increase the cost of supply substantially or even decide to cut us off. Where will we stand then? Will the idle power plant at La Collete be able to cope?
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#1 Totally agree. I was a toddler when they first started implementing this in Islay, I remember watching it being built.
And I would agree with #4 that it’s more important than the Waterfront plans.
They should make sure if they ever decide to go ahead with this to send locals over to the mainland for training so that they are ready to be employed when jobs become available!
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Scotland is leading the world on this technology.
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That a weak article.
This should be all about energy security. No need to fight wars in the Middle East, we have the power all about us. Might even provide a new ‘industry’ that will one day supplement a waning ‘finance industry’.
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An island community is always vulnerable when having to import food and power. Generating our own power would have benefitted the whole community and been a visionary move.
Like the many other commentators, I would have liked to see money spent on this than some other projects.
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Have they seen all the vraic lying in St Ouen’s Bay this week?
Imagine that clogging up the turbines!
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