Report turns back the tide

THE proposed Derby Tidal Power scheme has received a setback with an independent report supporting the State Government’s decision to back a gas proposal for power supply to the West Kimberley.

The ministerial advisory committee’s report vindicated the regional power procurement steering committee’s selection process in recommending Energy Equity and Woodside Energy, Energy Minister Colin Barnett said.

The committee, chaired by Australian Cooperative Research Centre for Renewable Energy managing director Dr Frank Reid, compared the two bids on financial and technical grounds, community benefits and environmental impacts.

The committee was established in response to strong public interest in the tidal proposal.

The committee found the tidal option had potential for electrical system stability problems.