OFFSHORE RENEWABLES

A FAB opportunity for a power trading link

14 years ago

The small Channel Island of Alderney has been instrumental in organising an important meeting between members of the British and French governments to discuss the creation of a cable link between the two countries through the island.

In February, Alderney Renewable Energy (ARE) signed deals for the development of tidal arrays and an interconnector cable. The interconnector, known as the France, Alderney, Britain (FAB) link is ARE’s ambitious project to run a cable from France to England via Alderney.

In addition, very strong tides could produce up to 4GW of electricity via a series of turbines. The FAB link would also link the new 1.6GW nuclear power plant being built at Flamanville, Normandy to England. The cable would allow the potential for the island to be a power trading link between the two European countries.

Charles Hendry, the UK Minister for Energy and Climate Change, was among those attending the talks which took place in Alderney. The Minister was accompanied by his Private Secretary, Mr Stephen Burke, and Malcolm Wicks MP, a Privy Councillor.

Mr Hendry said, “I’ve long been aware of the strong tidal flows around Alderney and their potential to generate renewable energy. The important thing is the connector. Interconnectors have an important role to play in the UK’s future energy situation. The discussions today were not so much about making decisions but looking at what the obstacles were and how they could be overcome.”

A delegation from the French Government, (Conseil de la manche) also attended the talks. It consisted of Président Jean Francois Le Grand (President of the Conseil Général de la Manche), Michel Chopin (CEO of the Regional Council), Thierry Motte (in charge of International Relations at the Regional Council) and Aurelie Leroy (manager of Maison de Normandie).

The meeting was at the behest of The President of the States of Alderney, Stuart Trought, who extended an invitation to all parties. He said, “I was highly delighted that my invitation was accepted as this not only helps to put Alderney on the map, but it also shows that a small island’s size is not detrimental to brokering high level meetings between the three parties. It is also good for the States of Alderney members to get a UK and French perspective on the matters that mutually affect England, France and Alderney.”