Alderney Renewable Energy (ARE / Alderney Renewable Energy Limited)

Alderney Renewable Energy Limited (ARE) is a marine renewable energy developer focused on harnessing the tidal and wave resources around the island of Alderney in the Channel Islands. It is described as a developer of wave and tidal stream power generation devices and has been granted long-term rights to Alderney’s surrounding tidal resource. In November 2008 the Alderney Commission for Renewable Energy (ACRE) signed a 65‑year licence with ARE to commence development of the island’s tidal resource, building on an earlier agreement granting ARE exclusive access to Alderney’s territorial waters for an initial five‑year period to research, survey and test marine devices. Subject to meeting specified targets and conditions, this framework provides for a Master Power Generation Licence giving ARE exclusive access to a substantial portion of development blocks for at least fifty years. ARE’s activities centre on the development of a large-scale commercial tidal power project, including work with technology developer OpenHydro using open-centre turbine technology. The company has investigated multiple trial areas around Alderney and has planned deployment of initial tidal devices in the Race of Alderney as part of proving technical and commercial viability at scales in the gigawatt range. ARE has also played a central role in creating export infrastructure for marine energy through a joint venture with Transmission Investment LLP to develop the France–Alderney–Britain (FAB) interconnector. FAB Link is intended both to enable export of tidal power generated in Alderney’s territorial waters to European markets and to facilitate electricity trading between Britain and France. Under its licence, ARE funds an annual subsidy payment to Alderney Electricity Ltd via ACRE to reduce local electricity costs, linking its marine development rights with direct support for the island’s energy system.