Wind farm is proposed
A 36-mile long wind farm off the island’s west and south coasts could be the solution to Guernsey’s financial and energy problems, according to proposals revealed today by a band of 15 politicians.
But the island needs to act now, the deputy leading the idea has said.
The claims were made in a scoping report published today. It covers all areas of renewable energy, but has identified wind power as having the greatest potential to transform Guernsey’s economy and power supply.
Carl Meerveld has carried out the bulk of the research into offshore wind energy and was excited by its potential for the island.
‘Guernsey’s winds have been described as a “nine out of 10” in terms of their ability to generate wind turbine power and our south and west coasts are both good locations to site a wind farm without being overly visually obtrusive,’ he said.
‘Such a wind farm could generate clean low-cost electricity for both the island and for export, and generate tens of millions of pounds in annual income.’
Watch: Deputy Carl Meerveld on Guernsey's 'multi-million pound' wind energy opportunity
The area identified is six miles from the coast – the same distance away as Sark – and encircles the island’s west and south coasts, covering 649sq km of seabed, an area almost 10 times the size of the island itself.
According to the report, if only half the area it identifies were developed, there would be enough energy potential for a 1,500 megawatt wind farm, which would produce a similar amount of electricity as one of the two nuclear reactors at the Hinkley Point C nuclear power station, currently under construction in the UK.
Deputy Meerveld was adamant that now was the time for Guernsey to commit to wind power.
‘This is an opportunity we cannot afford to miss,’ he said. ‘There is a danger if we don’t act quickly enough, that other sites will become available.
‘In two or three years we will be at the back of the queue. Guernsey could get tens of millions in income from leasing the sites and cheap electricity. We could be a exporter of green energy. We could even sell electricity to Jersey. People are going to have to ask themselves, what would you rather have? A wind farm on the far horizon, or pay GST?’
The report details how construction of a coastal wind-farm could attract inward investment into Guernsey of up to £5bn and generate tens of millions of pounds in annual option and lease fees for the States, transforming the island’s economy and producing enough electricity to power 1.5 million homes.
