Just last week a WA delegation flew to Canberra to persuade the Federal Government to back the project.

During the 2001 state election, the then Opposition leader, Dr Geoff Gallop, promised to support the tidal power project on the proviso that the Federal Government come to the party with its share of the funding.

A spokesman for the Minister of Energy, Mr Eric Ripper, said the Minister has received a report from Canberra and would make a decision this week on the project.

The town of Derby hopes to utilise its nearby fast moving tides for an experimental eco-friendly power project to service the West Kimberley, which relies now on dirty diesel generators. Shire officials argue the State Government should access a further $30 million in regional renewable energy funds to support it.