Jersey could sell power to Guernsey from its wind farm
A wind farm off the coast of Jersey has taken a step closer to becoming reality and the island’s government has said it could supply Guernsey with power.
The States of Jersey has unveiled a three-step plan to build a 1,000MW farm in water off the south-west of the island that would provide three times more energy than the island requires.
Jersey’s Minister for the Environment, Deputy Jonathan Renouf, said it would like to collaborate with Guernsey on the project.
‘Guernsey have their own ideas and options too, but taking power from a wind farm in Jersey’s waters is an option,’ he said.
‘There would still be lots to consider in terms of costs and cabling etc, but we are up for those conversations.’
He said that if Guernsey did not participate it might be because developing a wind farm in the Bailiwick’s own territorial waters might be more of a priority.
Deputy Renouf said he was in frequent contact with Guernsey Environment & Infrastructure president Lindsay de Sausmarez, and recently they had visited together the St Brieuc wind farm, near St Malo, which is currently under construction
‘We are going all-out for this,’ he said.
‘The principle is that the Channel Islands have lots of potential for renewable energy, that’s wind power now, but in the future it may be tidal.
‘We have discussed the plans together a lot. At a political level Guernsey are very well briefed, so now its up to them.’
Deputy de Sausmarez said Jersey’s plans were positive for them and the region in general.
‘We have been working very closely with Jersey and been in constant dialogue on this issue for some time,’ she said.
‘We have recently approved the electricity strategy, which includes a component of offshore wind power. But that could be delivered in a number of different ways.
‘It gives us another potential avenue to explore. We are not at the point where we could say anything definitive, but it’s important we explore everything.’
Jersey’s plans would see the island spend a year putting legislation in place before starting a seabed tender process in 2025.
A recent auction of UK wind project contracts failed to receive any bids, but Deputy Renouf said he did not think the Channel Islands were too late in starting the process to find backers.
‘The UK circumstances were very specific. We have the advantage of conducting our own process. When it comes to leasing the seabed it is a bit of a beauty contest, we need to be appealing to investors.’
The area around Jersey is generally seen as having a poorer wind profile than Guernsey, but with a more accessible seabed.
If Guernsey also looked to lease the seabed it could lead to the two islands competing for investment.
Deputy Renouf said that scenario was entirely hypothetical.
‘It would require Guernsey to be looking for investors at the same time,’ he said. ‘We are doing something now and I think Guernsey would still be a year or two down the line.’
