French tidal project will help pave Alderney's way
A FRENCH tidal power project which would pave the way for a much larger scheme in Alderney waters moved a step closer yesterday.
Manuel Valls, the French prime minister, announced that following a rigorous selection process, naval shipbuilding giant DCNS had been chosen to partner in the development of a pilot tidal turbine array off the coast of Normandy.
The project will see the installation of seven tidal turbines in the Raz Blanchard which will stay there for 20 years.
Alderney Renewable Energy, which is part-owned by Open Hydro, a DCNS company, wants to build a 150-turbine 300MW tidal array in the powerful currents of the Alderney Race by 2020.
That project would also see a France to Alderney to Britain inter-connector installed under the Channel.
