Support has come flooding in for innovative plans to sink an underwater power generator in the sea off Bermuda.

Belco unveiled the pioneering green scheme on Monday ? and revealed how it would capture ocean currents to initially provide nearly ten per cent of the Island's electricity needs. The energy giant has struck a 20-year deal with US company Current to Current that could see a generator almost the size of a football pitch used for the first time in the world in south shore waters.

The idea to use mother nature to help power the Island today received the backing of marine and conservation experts.

Dr. Tony Knap, president and director of the Bermuda Biological Station for Research, called the proposal "an innovative idea".

He said deep ocean currents in Bermuda never stopped running, making the sea-based source of power more efficient than large wind turbines.

Dr. Knap said the gear mechanism inside the ocean generator, due to be sunk between 75 and 200 metres below sea level, meant that even slow currents could be turned into high power.

Belco and Current to Current have not revealed the location of the proposed underwater unit until research had been carried out to find a suitable site with the strongest currents. Planning permission from Government would then be needed before a pilot generator is sunk. And Dr. Knap said the bio station was now helping in that search for the right location by taking sound profiles of the ocean. He said tests and research were needed to ensure the scheme was safe and would not damage marine life, but he added: "First impressions are that this is a very interesting thing to do. I'm really pleased that Bermuda was able to pull this off. The technology is amazing. There has been other sea-based power equipment in the past, but they had high speed blades."

The gear mechanism in the Current to Current unit allows the blades inside the 150ft long generator to turn slowly. And the company says this will allow fish and other marine life to safely swim through.

Dr. Knap also praised the scheme for helping to cut the Island's reliance on fossil fuels, which in turn, will curb carbon emissions.

Bermuda Underwater Exploration Institute director Wendy Tucker said she was glad Belco was looking at alternative energy supplies. But she wanted to see more research before commenting further.

Bermuda National Trust director Steven Conway backed Belco's "bold step".

He added: "The need to reduce emissions and lessen the Island's dependence on fossil fuels is vital to sustainable development and the self-sufficiency of the Island.

"We see this as an important initiative that will pave the way for the future to provide an alternative and cleaner means of power supply to meet Bermuda's current and future energy demands."

Mr. Conway said he was confident that environmental impact tests would be carried out once a suitable location was chosen.

Environment Minister Neletha Butterfield said she was pleased alternative energy sources were being seriously investigated.

She told : "The proposed concept to derive energy from ocean currents is very interesting, and if proven to be commercially viable, may assist Bermuda in becoming less reliant on fossil fuel as an energy source.

"The Ministry will no doubt play a role in reviewing details of the alternative energy scheme when they are available."

Shadow Minister Cole Simons also commended Belco's vision.

"Their submersible ocean power system appears to be on the cutting edge of renewable energy production, and at first glance, appears to be a natural fit for Bermuda."

Mr. Simons added: "The Government must take a page out of Belco's book and produce a sustainable energy plan that will reduce Bermuda's reliance on fossil fuels in favour of alternative renewable energy technologies. This should be done in conjunction with the current ongoing sustainable development study. Bermuda can ill afford to be faced with the energy production, and capacity challenges that we have all experienced in recent years."

Incentives for residents and businesses should be introduced, he said, in a bid to encourage use of green energy sources like biomass, offshore wind, tidal power and solar power.