This Is Guernsey

By Nick Mann

ENVIRONMENTAL factors should be a consideration when deciding how electricity is produced, according to the island’s supplier.

Guernsey Electricity is mandated to provide power from the cheapest source, but this has recently led to a surge in carbon emissions as it burns more oil instead of importing electricity through the cable link.

That tends to come from low- or zero-carbon sources such as nuclear. ‘Since the cable link was commissioned, it has generally been cheaper to import than to generate on-island during the peak months. As a result our carbon emissions have fallen significantly,’ said managing director Ian Watson (pictured).

‘Clearly that has considerable environmental benefits. However, during the peak months in autumn 2006 there was a sudden fall in the oil price, which meant the balance shifted to local generation.

‘The result was a sharp increase in carbon emissions, albeit not anything like the levels that we used to see before the link.’

Emissions from power generation peaked at 49 million tonnes of carbon in 1999.

In 2006, it stood at 28 million tonnes, double what it was in 2005.

‘It is essential to strike the right balance between economic and environmental performance,’ said Mr Watson.

‘Given the current concern regarding carbon emissions and global climate change, we believe there needs to be greater scope to favour imports for environmental reasons.

‘We don’t currently have that ability, but we hope that when the States come to debate the energy policy later this year, they will look at this seriously.’

Since the cable link was commissioned in 2001, imports have accounted for about 75% of the island’s electricity.

In the 12 months to 31 March 2007, which coincided with the fall in oil prices, this fell to just 55%.

However, the most recent statistics show that in the 12 months to 31 March 2008, 70% of the island’s electricity was imported. This included nuclear power, but also other zero carbon renewable sources such as wind and hydro power.

There is sufficient capacity at the Vale power station for full on-island generation in case the link to Europe is lost.

Mr Watson said there were sound environmental reasons why the island would want to move progressively away from burning fossil fuels as a first option.

‘We’ve already come a long way since the island was entirely reliant on oil for all its electricity needs.

‘I think we need to ensure that we don’t now take a backward step and instead the island needs to look at ways to increase the amount of power coming from low carbon or renewable sources,’ he said.