Forty candles for the Rance River TPP tides provide renewable and sustainable power generation

Prices of oil and other fossil fuels have proven a powerful incentive for the alternative energy hunters. The alternatives include the various forms of ocean energy that, often considered uneconomical for electricity generation, have become attractive and competitive. Many sites throughout the world have been considered, at one time or another, suitable for implantation of a tidal power station, but very few have witnessed implementation of often ambitious plans. The Rance River tidal power plant, near St Malo in Brittany (France) is an exception. It is celebrating in 2006, 40 years of durable, loyal and productive service. (C) 2006 Published by Elsevier Ltd.