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A project looking at the opportunities for Jersey to build a £2-3bn wind farm in the island's territorial waters will soon get underway, after receiving overwhelming backing by States Members today. Here's how the debate unfolded...
Politicians voted by 40-1 after just over three hours’ debate to support the move to explore the potential benefits of a scheme that would be likely to be developed around ten miles south-west of Corbière.
The vote requires the Council of Ministers to bring forward appropriate policy and legislation before the end of 2024 to set in place a process to lease, provide consent for, regulate and safely decommission a wind farm.
Members began the debate during the final hour of yesterday's business, with Environment Minister Steve Luce making the opening speech.
Deputy Luce said the proposition did not commit the island to building a wind farm, to any excessive expenditure, or bind Jersey into a relationship with third parties. It was possible, he added, that after detailed studies had taken place a decision could be reached that the concept did not work for Jersey.
Video: The wind farm debate concluded at this morning's States Assembly meeting.
However, the minister said that at this stage there were "very strong and compelling reasons for us to look seriously at this opportunity, which could give us an important long-term strategic edge in a volatile energy landscape."
Before the main debate began, Members considered an amendment from Deputy David Warr, who was seeking a stipulation which would have required ministers to have worked in partnership with Jersey Electricity during all stages of the development of the wind farm.
While saying he was undecided about whether the wind farm project should be initiated, Deputy Warr questioned why the island would "go to the starting gate without its leading energy supplier sitting at the top table"?
Conflicts of interest were regularly encountered in Jersey, Deputy Warr added, and the important thing was to "surface" them and move forward in a constructive way.
Environment Minister Steve Luce said ministers had carefully considered the amendment, but could not support it.
The proposal would, Deputy Luce added, tie the island into a specific partnership with JE at a very early stage, and that there would be a clear conflict to have the company sit alongside government as policy surrounding the project was developed.
"It simply does not meet any impartiality test," he said. "The amendment is premature, not thought-through and doesn't recognise the serious consequences and conflict of interest and the risks that raises."
When it came to the vote, Deputy Warr won support for his amendment from Deputy Louise Doublet, but lost by 41 votes to two.
Deputy Philip Bailhache was one of several Members to highlight energy security, and whether a Jersey wind farm would achieve this if the power it generated was then landed in France.
"If that's the case, what's the point?" he asked, expressing fear that the island would be subject to pressure from "huge commercial interests" and "left to clear up the mess by decommissioning engineering detritus". This question was "close to being a make or break issue", he added.
Pictured: Jersey's proposed wind farm could generate twice as much power as the 62-turbine wind farm currently being built north of Saint Brieuc, which comes very close to Jersey’s territorial waters.
Deputy Jonathan Renouf, who lodged the proposition last October in his former role of Environment Minister, said he remained strongly in favour, and highlighted the missed opportunity that would arise if Jersey did not proceed with a scheme.
With winds blowing in from the Atlantic and relatively shallow water, Jersey had the advantage of “ideal advantages” to move ahead with such a project, he added.
"This project has been on the runway for a while now, let's at least see if it can fly,” he concluded.
Deputy Kirsten Morel said he was sad that some of the opposition to a wind farm came from those who remained in denial about the impact of climate change – such people were “denying a future for our Island”, he said.
Jersey needed to recognise the challenges that lay ahead in raising revenue and persuading young Islanders not to move away in order to meet the challenges of providing healthcare for an ageing population, he added, calling for the Island to be bold, rather than timid.
Housing Minister Sam Mézec confirmed the proposition had the backing of the Reform Jersey party, which he leads, although he was disappointed that more details had not been provided on some areas such as the electricity being piped directly to Jersey.
Deputy Luce acknowledged his ministerial colleague’s observation, but said there was a conundrum regarding how many decisions should be taken prior to seeking the support of Members.
The project provided an opportunity for Jersey to punch above its weight, Deputy Luce concluded, urging fellow Members to show confidence in what the future may hold.
When it came to the vote, Deputy Max Andrews, who asked his followers on X (formerly Twitter) for their view hours prior to this morning's States session, was the only Member to vote against.
What is your view on the development of a Wind Farm in Jersey waters?
— Deputy Max Andrews (@MaxandrewsJ) April 17, 2024
However, he did not speak during the debate.
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