Will the Minister now put in place a plan to take advantage of the opportunities being offered by the advance of technology in tidal power, as shown by the Alderney Group

2.9   Connétable D.J. Murphy of Grouville of the Minister for Planning and Environment regarding the advancement of tidal power technology:

Following his speech to the Chamber of Commerce by Mr. Liston and demands from Members of this Assembly over the past 2 years; will the Minister now put in place a plan to take advantage of the opportunities being offered by the advance of technology in tidal power, as shown by the Alderney Group?

Senator F.E. Cohen (The Minister for Planning and Environment):

The energy policy Green Paper went out to public consultation at the end of last year. A study supporting that paper highlighted the feasibility of offering Jersey as a destination for research development in tidal stream technologies. However, the physical tidal stream conditions around Alderney are significantly better than those around Jersey and thus, we will likely be second choice as a location for tidal stream research and development. However, once technologies and funding develop, we do have a considerable resource to produce power from these renewable energy sources.  In the Green Paper, it was proposed that Jersey should offer to be a test bed for emerging technologies such as tidal stream. The States will soon have the opportunity to debate this as part

of the energy White Paper. The White Paper proposals include facilitating inward investment by examining and identifying potential sites for installations, taking into account environmental climatological and human factors, carrying out seabed surveys and putting enabling provisions in place, for example, seabed rights, accessing the market place and identifying investors. However, I have had discussions with the recently retired chief scientific adviser to the U.K. Government who advised that technologies were embryonic and Jersey could be well advised to wait for technologies to develop before we invest public money in tidal stream power generation.

1. The Connétable of Grouville :

I have indeed read the development of the energy policy which deals with tidal power, all 2 pages out of 200. When I approached the department, I was told that ongoing moves would be made towards ordinary real energy. I know nothing has happened there and, in fact, I think to follow up part of Mr. Liston's speech, the benefits and the development work that has been taken in the Northern Islands, including Sark, I might add, he said all that happened without our government noticing, never mind leading an energy strategy. Would the Minister please incentivise his department to get rid of the climate of negativity which seems to exist there with regard to tidal power? We have an infinite resource running past these Islands 4 times a day and I do understand that the technology must be right but why are we not involved in the Alderney job already, together with Guernsey who already have a shareholding in that project?

Senator F.E. Cohen:

I am not entirely sure what the question is, but the Constable has a very clear and longstanding interest in this area. I think perhaps the best way forward would be that I invite the Constable to participate in bringing forward appropriate measures with the department. I will shortly arrange a meeting with the Director of Environment and progress the matter, hopefully including the Connétable to ensure that he is satisfied that we are doing everything necessary to promote the use of tidal stream technologies.

2. Deputy P.V.F. Le Claire:

From a standing effect that the energy policy is out for consultation, time and tide wait for no man, as they say. The Environment Scrutiny Panel recently has visited the United Kingdom at a tidal energy conference and was pleased to receive encouragement from those people involved in putting schemes into the water at the moment that do not require any States funding that they would be more than willing to come to Jersey and trial their equipment and get involved with Jersey in accessing one of the greatest energy resources and one of the most ecologically friendly energy

resources there is on the planet. What is needed is a more pro-active approach. Will the Minister

please take steps not to arrange meetings but develop a group or a system that will take forward these measures and provide us with the opportunity to engage in this important and exciting new industry?

Senator F.E. Cohen:

I am afraid that we do have to start with meetings. Very clearly, there are a number of States

Members who have a particular interest in progressing this matter. I am very happy to progress it

as quickly as possible.  We do have to be realistic, but I think the best thing to do is to start with an invitation to the Connétable of Grouville and, indeed, the Deputy and any others who are interested to meet with the Director of Environment and discuss the best way forward.

3. Senator S. Syvret:

Could the Minister just remind us how long the Green Paper has been published for and inform the Assembly how many detailed written critiques or submissions he has received on it from the Constable of Grouville ?

Senator F.E. Cohen:

I am afraid I do not have that information to hand. I will distribute the information later today to all Members.

4. Deputy P.V.F. Le Claire:

In a number of meetings on this topic, in speaking with companies that are interested in Jersey, they have indicated they would be interested looking at schemes with the knowledge of the tidal flows and currents, ebbs, et cetera, the hydrology report. I understand from a previous meeting that the company, AEA had provided hydrology reports to the States of Jersey. Would the Minister please furnish those to myself and the Constable and the Environment Scrutiny Panel if he is able to ascertain where they are?

Senator F.E. Cohen:

I am not aware of the particular reports to which the Deputy is referring but he is welcome to have access to this information if it exists, and to any other in relation to this particular subject.