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The project was originally brought before the States in 2003 when they agreed a contract with Alderney Renewable Energy to develop the scheme and they have been working ever since on the design of the required turbines and the ideal position for them.

It is expected the turbines will be placed in an area of water known as The Race, according to Alderney States Member and project supporter Colin Williams.

Mr Williams also said that "Alderney needs another stable and steady income stream" other than e-gambling and that this could provide that.

He said that with oil looking like it would become less easily available in the future Alderney's strong tides would provide a more sustainable and eco-friendly form of power.

The project is expected to be fully completed in 2020 and will consist of a number of barges floating at sea level on which turbines will be moored. The turbines will then sit on the sea bed where they will utilise the tide to create electricity and will be serviced from the barges.

When choosing the location of the tidal power field the designers took many factors into account, especially the environmental issues, as Alderney's seas contain a lot of sea life with some areas even designated as RAMSAR sites.

The November 2008 States of Alderney meeting saw the States vote through a series of measures to speed up the introduction of around five hundred tidal turbines, foregoing a scheduled period of testing.

They awarded a master power licence to Alderney Renewable Energy so it can sell power to France meaning Alderney would benefit from cheaper electricity, royalties and being a world leader in renewable energy.

The vote however was not unanimous as three States members abstained from voting and one, Frank Dean, felt so strongly that Alderney was being rushed into the agreement he resigned from the States after the meeting.