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Guernsey Electricity is heralding latest developments in next generation tidal energy as a positive step forward towards making tidal energy a commercial reality.

Marine Current Turbines Ltd, in which Guernsey Electricity has an equity stake, has been granted consent by the Environment & Heritage Service in Northern Ireland to install a 1000kW SeaGen tidal energy turbine in Northern Ireland’s Strangford Lough.

The energy device, which will be installed and connected to the Northern Irish electricity grid in 2006/7, has the capacity to generate clean and sustainable electricity for approximately 600 homes.

The installation of the device will enable the developers to not only assess the impact the technology will have on the environment, but also to showcase the commercial potential of tidal stream energy.

Engineering director for Guernsey Electricity, Steve Morris, said that the installation of the device in Northern Ireland will trigger an exciting time in the advancement of tidal energy technology and, if successful, would demonstrate the commercial potential of tidal stream energy.

‘The installation and successful running of the SeaGen will prove the technology works and will bring the possibility of using tidal power in Guernsey one step closer. It is certainly an exciting development and I shall monitor with interest the success of the project,’ he said.

‘I am as optimistic as ever that, at the right time, tidal power will be part of the Island’s future electricity generation mix,’ he added.

If the generation of tidal power is successful eventually Guernsey Electricity will be able to provide a source of power which will not only be a reliable, local source of energy, but will also be environmentally friendly with zero carbon emissions.

Guernsey Electricity made an equity investment in UK based company Marine Current Turbines Ltd in 2004. The company is the leading developer of tidal stream energy technology.