Guernsey Press

Guernsey Electricity could be broker in Sark utility valuation

GUERNSEY Electricity could be brought in to act as a broker to help arrange the valuation of Sark Electricity, said the company’s managing director David Gordon-Brown.

Published
Sark Electricity managing director David Gordon-Brown. (26591557)

The utility has been locked in a dispute with the price control commissioner over the price of power on the island for more than a year, with Sark residents paying a much higher price for their power than people in Guernsey.

Mr Gordon-Brown is keen to see Guernsey Electricity responsible for power in the whole of the Bailiwick – including Sark and Alderney.

‘Not only would the Bailiwick option put the company in the hands of experienced, competent people, it also would provide regulation under Guernsey’s current regulation laws which would not cost the consumers nearly as much, as they were put in place in Guernsey after they experienced that same problem of excessive costs when they had a similar regulation law to ours,’ he said.

Last week, members of Sark’s Policy & Finance committee met with Guernsey Electricity to discuss the best way forward.

‘The Wednesday meeting in Guernsey seems to have been quite successful and Guernsey is now considering letting GEL act as an honest broker to arrange the valuation of the company,’ Mr Gordon-Brown said.

‘As the conseillers that committed to pursue the Bailiwick option have kept to their word and begun this process, we are hopeful that we will now be able to avoid the legal costs escalating any further. Because of this, we have decided to make a gesture of good faith by holding the price increase for another month.’

The States of Guernsey has been approached for comment.