UK Energy Minister Visits Alderney Renewable Energy

Charles Hendry, Minister of State at the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) visited Alderney to meet members of the management team of Alderney Renewable Energy (ARE).

ARE has ambitious plans for developing tidal power in the coastal waters around Alderney. In partnership with French industrial group DCNS, ARE plans to create one of the most significant tidal farms in Europe. ARE is also developing an electricity interconnector between France, Alderney and the UK with partner Transmission Capital and French grid operator RTE. This interconnector, known as the FABLink, will enable the export of up to 4 gigawatts of tidal power from Alderney’s waters and a power trading link between the UK and France. Both projects have the support of the governments of Alderney, the UK and France.

Mr Hendry’s visit to Alderney was hosted by Stuart Trought, President of The States of Alderney, accompanied by Malcolm Wicks, former UK Minister of State for Energy. The visit also included meetings with States members and ACRE, the Alderney Commission for Renewable Energy.

Commenting on the visit, Declan Gaudion, Executive Director of ARE, said:

 “We are delighted that Charles Hendry has visited Alderney today. Mr Hendry is taking a keen interest in our tidal and interconnector projects, which have the potential to provide a significant and sustainable source of low-carbon energy to the UK.”

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Offshore WIND staff, May 04, 2012; Image: decc