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A GUERNSEY Electricity-backed company behind technology that could be used to generate tidal power in local waters has been named Europe’s leading renewable marine energy developer.

Bristol-based Marine Current Turbines (MCT) was ranked fifth overall in the ‘Clean Tech 100 Survey’, and was one of only two marine power companies in top 10.

The listings rank the top 100 European clean energy developers according to their environmental impact and future potential. They were compiled by research firm Library House and published in the Guardian.

MCT is behind the world’s first commercial scale tidal power project. Its SeaGen device was installed in Strangford Lough, near Belfast, in April, and is now connected to the Northern Ireland grid. It is due to be commissioned later this year, and once fully operational will be able to generate clean, green electricity for up to 1,000 homes.

The company also has plans to build a tidal farm off the island of Anglesey in Wales, which will be capable of producing clean, renewable energy for about 10,000 UK homes. This is likely to be one of the first commercial scale projects of its type in the world, and could be in operation as early as 2011.

Guernsey Electricity managing director Ian Watson said the Clean Tech 100 survey underlined MCT’s status as the company at the leading edge of tidal power generation.

‘With SeaGen, tidal power generation is now very close to becoming a commercial reality, and for the Bailiwick that clearly has hugely significant implications,’ he said.

‘Electricity is the only energy we have locally that has the potential to be entirely carbon free. Obviously if we can harness the power of the seas around us as a source of clean, renewable electricity, then it can make a very major contribution to that goal.’

Guernsey Electricity is conducting a detailed survey of the sea bed and tidal flows in various locations around the Bailiwick. This will enable developers interested in installing turbine projects in local waters to assess whether conditions are suitable for their technology.

It will provide a detailed picture of the sea bed and tidal characteristics covering an area of around 100 square kilometres. This will include locations in the Little Russell, Big Russell, along the South Coast of Guernsey.