Environmental consultancy firm Sustainable Direction Ltd has announced it is advising on a major scheme to create a network of 2000 tide-powered electricity generating turbines off the coast of Alderney in the Channel Islands.

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The company has drawn up a ‘Strategic Environmental Assessment’ report for Alderney Renewable Energy, outlining how to prevent the possible consequences the scheme might have on the island’s environment.

“This is potentially a fantastic scheme which could really benefit the island’s economy,” commented Sustainable Direction director, Dr John Henry Looney. “Alderney is an ideal site for this project as it has multiple separate underwater tide races which are among the most powerful in the world.”

Estimates suggest that Alderney’s waters are capable of harvesting enough electricity to power between 700,000 and two million homes. As the island only has a population of around 2,400, this would create a considerable surplus which could be sold on.