AURIGNY’S decision to raise fares in the wake of the sharp rise in the cost of oil is yet another indicator that the carbon-light future sought by the Energy Policy Group can be justified as much on price as saving the planet.
With that in mind, the perceived future for renewable carbon-free energy sources is particularly relevant. Which, for these islands at least, means wind or tidal power.
The former is seen as relatively cheap, but ugly and noisy, the latter as expensive, but nigh on invisible.
If onshore wind power alone were relied on to meet the island’s commitment to produce 10% of its electricity from renewables, sites would have to be found for 14 towers, each 60 metres high.
Such a scheme, while kind on the pocket, would be seen by many islanders as a step too far. The towers would not only change the landscape of the island but force hundreds to put up with excessive noise, night and day.
While a commitment to a diverse range of energy sources is understandable, Guernsey’s already fierce struggle for land would make it almost impossible to find space for one such tower without encountering strong resistance, let alone 14.
In the circumstances, it would seem perverse not to fully embrace the gift horse that is our huge tidal range.
Predictable, powerful and ‘pretty’, tidal power must represent the Bailiwick’s best chance of driving towards a carbon-light future without selling our environmental family silver.
Debate then moves to how to fund a tidal plant. The policy group favours taking much of the responsibility for this away from Guernsey Electricity and investing it in a new commission. This, in turn, would seek to woo potential investors in a partnership: we provide the superb tidal range, they provide the cash and equipment.
It seems like a match made in heaven. In that vision of Utopia, the island would solve its own energy issues and might even become a net exporter, providing a revenue stream of green power.
The worry is that time is short and Guernsey’s recent record on major projects is poor.
Article posted on 10th June, 2008 - 2.30pm
2 Article Comments
Green as the geico geiko must we be and rich er ever more shall we become
the time is now lets move on this
Will the new hydro-electic energy really be green if it’s been swimming about in our raw filth? Perhaps when they’re doing this, they can raise the additional cash to finally sort out the sewage treatment plant.