OpenHydro, the Irish tidal renewable company, has secured a  20% equity interest in Alderney Renewable Energy Ltd, it was announced today (20th November). The announcement follows the recent award of a 65 year licence from the States of Alderney, to Alderney Renewable Energy, for the generation of renewable tidal and wave energy from Alderney’s territorial waters.

The first phase of this development will be a 285MW tidal array and Alderney Renewable Energy Ltd have already secured initial rights for a European grid connection of this capacity. The installation of this tidal array will give the island of Alderney a link to the French grid thereby providing security of supply and financial benefits for the island and its residents, says OpenHydro.

Commenting on the announcement, Brendan Gilmore, Chairman, OpenHydro said: “Alderney’s waters contain one of the world’s largest resources of marine energy. We are delighted to invest in Alderney Renewable Energy Ltd and to provide our technology to harness this unique resource. This resource will deliver security of energy supply and further economic benefits for the residents of Alderney, and will provide Europe with long term carbon free renewable tidal energy.”

The island of Alderney's territorial waters contain one of the world’s largest resources of tidal energy. This resource is estimated to be in the region of 3,000MWs or the equivalent of six large power stations.