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Sections of Deputy Carl Meerveld's independent report on utilising wind energy around Guernsey have been shared with Express to give readers "a good overview" of his research.
Deputy Meerveld and 14 other States members had been involved in meetings where discussions over how they could guide States policy on renewable energy.
Deputy Meerveld and Deputy David De Lisle then undertook research independently of any States committee or direction. They explored ways that Guernsey could benefit from the use of tidal, solar and wind power which exists naturally around the islands.
Those three workstreams found that, in their opinions, wind energy is the best option for Guernsey and a lengthy report was published last week, stretching to hundreds of pages of opinion and evidence.
Pictured: Deputies David De Lisle and Carl Meerveld worked on three scoping reports into renewable energy sources.
The shorter reports on tidal and solar power outlined the benefits and also limitations of investing in these forms of renewable energy.
A shorter report on wind energy has now been shared and it can be downloaded HERE.
This shorter report covers pages 3-13 of the main report, and Deputy Meerveld said it contains the "Acknowledgements, Executive Summary and Index of Contents which should give your readers a good overview".
Deputy Meerveld also gave Express an extensive overview of his research and why he wants the States to explore renewable energy opportunities further.
The reports on solar energy and tidal energy can be downloaded through these links:
Scoping Report - Guernsey Tidal Energy - 18 Oct 2022.pdf
Scoping Report - Guernsey Solar Energy 18 Oct 2022.pdf
Deputy Meerveld has said he is willing to stake his personal political reputation on the topic and that he wants to see progress on the use of renewable energy sources within the next couple of years.
He acknowledged that some pushback may be experienced from other States members, and members of the public, so one thing he wants to do early on in the process is establish public support for exploring options - not the detailed plans but just whether or not there should be exploratory work to establish if there is a public desire to look into renewable energy opportunities.
A straw poll launched by Express last week found overwhelming support for research into scoping the possibilities afforded by renewable energy to be explored further.
Deputy Meerveld said the positive result was expected and he hopes it will help secure further research into this area.
“I believe the potential benefits of an offshore wind farm far out way the negatives and I am gratified to see that the vast majority of responses to your survey support further exploration of the idea.
"As mentioned in the report, market circumstances and pressures mean that Guernsey has a limited period during which it can potentially achieve premium for leasing its seabed. Consequently, this initiate needs action now, continuing the business-like approach to develop this opportunity before market forces leave Guernsey behind.”
The Express straw poll is still open below:
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By Friday afternoon, 378 people engaged with the poll. 92.33%, or 349 people said Yes and 7.67% or 29 people said No.
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