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We need to focus on the "bigger picture" when it comes to what capital projects we can afford says the deputy responsible for the island's Government Work Plan, who wants to push back debate on the Electricity Strategy until the end of the summer.
Deputy Bob Murray oversees the GWP for Policy and Resources.
The GWP green paper - which sets out the government’s priorities for this political term, while the Capital Portfolio guides prioritisation of large projects – is due to be debated on 18 July.
The Electricity Strategy is due to be debated this week, with proposals for promoting the growth of local expertise in renewables receiving support from industry partners including Guernsey Electricity and the Little Green Energy Company, as well as the Chamber of Commerce.
Deputy Murray has lodged a Sursis - seconded by Deputy Sam Haskins - to put that debate back until September.
"The reason for this is its proximity to the GWP debate to be held on the 18 July, which seeks the Assembly’s support to focus our resources on three specific areas," he explained adding that "the need for such a focus is our overstretched capability within Government."
Deputy Murray said he is concerned that making a commitment to the delivery of an Electricity Strategy without a "full understanding of the implications of all of the resource implications which will be explored in detail a matter of days later" would not be conducive to good governance.
"The Assembly has a considerable history of making decisions in isolation of the rest of the portfolio (BAU and new), activity which has also to be delivered. There are dozens of workstreams that will have to be resourced if the (Electricity) Strategy is agreed as proposed. They are not costed within the capital and operating expenditure detailed in the pathways at present but there will be additional significant resource needed.
"It is merely prudent to ensure that members make decisions on the Strategy fully briefed on the outcome of the GWP debate first. We have a great many competing demands on very scant resources."
Deputy Murray denied any claims that he wants to "cancel debate" on the Electricity Strategy saying he just wants the States to look at the "bigger picture".
"This is certainly NOT an attempt to cancel the debate itself, merely ensure that the bigger picture of the future focus of the GWP commitments are known beforehand and especially as it is only a matter of days until that happens."
Pictured: Deputies Bob Murray and Sam Haskins want to delay the Electricity Strategy debate until September.
If the Sursis is backed by a majority of deputies this week the debate on the Electricity Strategy could be put back to the States Meeting starting on 6 September, meaning there would be at most a 12 week delay to the debate.
The Committee for the Environment & Infrastructure said that delay would be unnecessary and it wants the States debate to go ahead so the strategic direction can be agreed "as soon as possible so the States can start the next phase of work developing specific proposals, and so that industry and potential investors can make the commercial decisions we know they are very keen to make".
Deputy Lindsay de Sausmarez, E&I President said the States previously decided that would happen in July and she is surprised that Deputies Murray and Haskins want to change that date now.
“This Sursis embodies everything that I suspect Guernsey people do not want to see from this government – inaction, indecision, a lack of joined-up working between political members, and a disappointing lack of appetite to invest in our infrastructure, support local industry and prioritise energy affordability for Islanders.
“We are keen to agree a strategic direction to resolve the vital issues around energy security and the affordability of electricity now. Our local energy industry needs the States to decide on the way forward for our future electricity demand, supply, and market framework.
“There is no good reason for delay, as the States is not being asked to agree any specific plans with resource implications: those options can only be properly assessed once the strategic direction is agreed. Now is the time for the States to agree that strategic direction so we can continue to take action and maintain the momentum of the extensive work already undertaken.”
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