Electricity strategy’s ‘strong steer’ welcomed by company
GUERNSEY ELECTRICITY has described States backing for the electricity strategy as the ‘best possible outcome for the island’.
Government has now agreed a pathway for de-carbonising the island’s electricity supply and moving to net zero by 2050. It includes progressing on-island renewable energy with solar and wind power, and intends to progress a second cable link with France.
‘This vote provides certainty and a clear strategic direction for Guernsey Electricity and the wider energy industry. The security and supply of our future energy are of paramount importance, along with affordability for islanders,’ said Guernsey Electricity CEO Alan Bates.
‘We wholly support this decision as it gives Guernsey Electricity a strong steer in terms of a strategic direction and means we can proceed with investment decisions, including the retirement of some older power station equipment and investment in other plant, and can now press ahead with the important role of delivering our part of the electricity strategy for the island.’
The financial services industry body has also welcomed confirmation of the strategy.
The Guernsey International Business Association said it was important for the States to act decisively on an issue which is critical to the long-term economic wellbeing of the island and the finance industry.
The president of Environment & Infrastructure, who took the strategy to the States, continued to defend its finances, which had been a source of concern before the debate.
Deputy Lindsay de Sausmarez said that the strategy’s price tag was some £200m. cheaper over the period to 2050 than the cost of continuing with current arrangements for electricity supply.
She said that her committee would now work with others on the strategy, including more detailed consideration of funding arrangements.
‘It’s worth noting that historically the island’s electricity supply has been wholly funded by electricity consumers through individuals’ and businesses’ electricity bills, rather than through any investment by the States, and the expectation is that this will continue to be the main funding mechanism going forward.
‘Using electricity already costs us, the consumers, at least £60m. a year, and there’s no getting around the fact that this will have to increase as our population and electricity demand grows over the coming decades.
‘As well as being more affordable, the strategy is also more flexible for the future and it happens to be more environmentally sustainable as well.
‘We, and all the other stakeholders, can now make progress towards a more affordable, more secure and more sustainable electricity supply going forward.’
