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Guernsey Electricity and the island’s largest business group have come out in support of the recently released electricity strategy and its recommendations for renewable energy generation coupled with a new cable to France.
The Committee for the Environment & Infrastructure released its Policy Letter yesterday, outlining its argument for ‘Pathway D’ - a £1.7billion plan for future energy generation.
The document has been welcomed by Guernsey Electricity. It said the pathway gives the utility much needed clarity on the future of energy production.
The CEO of GEL, Alan Bates, said: “The Island’s Electricity Strategy is of critical importance, progressing this workstream is pivotal not only for the electricity sector but for the wider energy industry and Guernsey’s long term economic prosperity.
“The proposed pathway is significantly cheaper, in terms of total expenditure and electricity system price to islanders, compared to carrying on as we are. It is also the least carbon intensive route, by some margin, compared to the other options presented."
Pictured: “The pathway identified is promising,” said Mr Bates, who is hopeful that it’ll be agreed to by the States of Guernsey.
The strategy promotes the growth of local expertise in renewables, according to the Chamber of Commerce. It has welcomed the strategy as a ‘forward-thinking’ piece of work that “promises to deliver enhanced security, resilience and sustainable energy for the island of Guernsey”.
Rupert Dorey is a representative for the Chamber, he said: "Firstly we need a second cable – this is the key enabler for all of the other proposals in the policy. This decision cannot be delayed. It’s urgent we get on with this to allow the island to continue the great jobit’s done decarbonising our electricity, and it will also be instrumental in the enablement of constructing offshore wind generating assets and significant on island solar power.”
He also commended the strategy for its proposal that GEL should retain responsibility for the island grid.
“This not only ensures stability and avoids duplication of investment,” he said, “but also makes GEL the conduit for all electricity from suppliers on a level playing field, including local generation. While it may not always be the lowest-cost option in the short term, this strategic choice encourages the development of local renewables and paves the way for the integration of serious offshore wind initiatives in the future."
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