Sark Electricity sold ‘with deep sadness’

Witney Price bought the company for an undisclosed sum.

SEL was run by the Gordon-Brown family until the recent death of David Gordon-Brown.

His son, Andrew, a former SEL director, said that it was with deep sadness that the decision was made.

‘Sark has been an important part of our lives for three generations. The decision to hand over the baton was not an easy one.

‘However, we have known Alan Jackson for a number of years. He spent many of those encouraging SEL to push towards a greener future. His energy and passion for Sark and its future has given us confidence to entrust him with our family’s legacy.’

Originally the transfer was due to take two months, but due to the Covid-19 outbreak this was fast-tracked to four days.

Mr Jackson, managing partner of Witney Price, said: ‘Our commitment towards a green energy future is absolute. We are primed to break ground this year on green energy infrastructure if Chief Pleas gives us their blessing.’

Price parity, grid unity and efficiency are key factors.

‘Transparency and co-operation are our ultimate goals. Our intentions are for Sark to become absolutely self-sufficient and completely green. With openness on both sides and a combined approach I have the confidence and faith that we will fulfil our vision.’

Witney Price will meet with the Sark community and Chief Pleas.

‘For our part we would break ground tomorrow on a cheaper greener energy future that stimulates the economy and works towards eradicating energy poverty on Sark. For some of our less wealthy residents, this is a significant problem.’

The new Electricity (Sark) Law 2020 almost ended the transaction entirely, he said.

‘A single unified provider meeting the needs of all residents is the best option,’ he said.

‘We appreciate that those with independent wealth can install individual solutions that benefit them specifically and the desire to do so is entirely understandable. My job is to persuade them that a unified approach is in the interest of all residents.’

‘To do that we need to stabilise supply, provide full financial transparency to regulators and deliver on a green energy future that supports the entire community. Only this will give them the confidence that energy unity is an agenda they can and should support.’

Sark Electricity has been involved in an ongoing battle with regulators over pricing.

Chief Pleas passed a law in 2016 to allow price control orders to be imposed if regulated electricity supplier costs are not fair and reasonable.

In January, SEL challenged a price control order imposed by the Chief Pleas electricity price commissioner.

The order set electricity at 54p per unit, down from 66p, which SEL said would not cover its costs.

A delay was requested by SEL on the order until Guernsey Electricity completed a valuation of the company.

SEL is required to be renamed, something which will be confirmed in due course.