Select a region
An independent group of 14 deputies who have been working behind the scenes for a year are only days away from presenting their ideas about developing renewable energy in the island.
They hope to publish a series of reports on Friday which they say will identify opportunities to develop solar, tidal and wind power and the obstacles which would need to be overcome first.
The group of 14 came together in October last year at a meeting organised by Deputy David De Lisle, pictured (top left). Since then, they have been working independently of States' committees, including the Committee for the Environment & Infrastructure, which is close to finalising an electricity strategy to go to the States' Assembly early next year.
When contacted by Express, Deputy Carl Meerveld, pictured (top right), who is one of the 14, confirmed the existence of the independent group of deputies and briefly outlined their purpose and objectives as they put the finishing touches to their reports.
Pictured: Around one-third of deputies are believed to be involved in the work which started last year.
"On 21 October last year, 14 deputies attended a meeting organised by Deputy De Lisle to review opportunities for renewable energy initiatives in a more business-like manner by identifying opportunities first [and] then considering obstacles to pursuing those opportunities, which may include States’ policies," said Deputy Meerveld.
"[It's] an opposite approach to the one taken by many States' committees and civil servants, who often try to establish a policy direction and then only consider opportunities which fit with that policy direction.
"This larger group of deputies formed three sub-groups focused on solar, tidal and wind renewable energy opportunities with the intention of producing reports to be presented to the Committee for the Environment & Infrastructure and the Policy & Resources Committee for their consideration.
"These three sub-groups are finalising their reports and will be publishing them on Friday 14 October."
Pictured: The independent group of deputies intend to publish three reports about renewable energy, one of which will deal with the opportunities and obstacles for tidal power.
Deputy Meerveld said the group of deputies hoped to influence committees' and States' policy rather than putting forward an extensive alternative policy of their own.
"The work being done by the renewable energy group is synergistic with the work being undertaken by the Committee for the Environment & Infrastructure on the future energy strategy and will help inform the policy debate," he said.
"The work being undertaken analyses opportunities which may help influence strategy and policy. They are not intended to be an alternative policy.
"The group's reports focus on opportunities rather than strategic policy. For instance, the offshore wind scoping report, which I am helping compile, would fit within options C (renewables first), D (dual interconnector and wind) or F (lighthouse) in the Committee for the Environment & Infrastructure's future electricity strategy consultation document."
Pictured: Guernsey Electricity recently made the first in a series of price hikes to support investment in the island's electricity infrastructure. Costs to consumers are a major factor in discussions about future electricity supply.
The independent group of deputies will publish their reports only two weeks after the Guernsey Policy & Economic Group (GPEG), a local think tank, released its own report on Guernsey's electricity supply and options for developing renewable energy.
GPEG's report was critical of the electricity strategy consultation document issued by the Committee for the Environment & Infrastructure and raised concerns about the States not acting decisively enough.
"It is unwise to underestimate the ability of our politicians to delay the issue. Doing basically nothing before the next election is possible and far from unlikely," said GPEG.
Pictured: GPEG has warned of the risk of the States failing to make timely decisions about electricity supply, but Deputy Lindsay de Sausmarez said that her Committee for the Environment & Infrastructure would take proposals to the States early in 2023.
The President of the Committee, Deputy Lindsay de Sausmarez, said recently that the Committee would submit its proposed electricity strategy to the States' Assembly by the end of March.
Deputy de Sausmarez told the Assembly that "the electricity strategy workstream is running on full power".
"There has been constructive engagement from energy industry and business community stakeholders through workshops and the targeted technical consultation that ran over the summer," she said.
"Political colleagues who attended the presentations a couple of weeks ago will be in no doubt as to the expertise that supports this complex piece of work.
"The consultation feedback has been really useful and has brough to light some questions that need further exploration. This may slightly shift the timing, meaning the strategy may be debated in quarter one next year rather than this December, as originally hoped. But it's still moving at pace as there is nothing like a global energy crisis to sharpen one's focus."
GPEG calls for greater urgency on wind and solar power
States' consultation for electricity strategy "imminent"
Energy concerns dominate debate
OPINION: "Island needs accurate information about energy policy"
OPINION: "The States must wake up on energy and the environment"
E&I President astonished by GPEG's scathing criticism of energy policy
The energy transition: What is the regulator’s role?
Alderney "working together with Guernsey" on renewable energy
Comments
Comments on this story express the views of the commentator only, not Bailiwick Publishing. We are unable to guarantee the accuracy of any of those comments.