This Is Guernsey

By Simon Tostevin

GUERNSEY’S energy providers are eager to begin the workstreams that will shape the island’s future supply and consumption.

Despite disagreeing with each other on various aspects of the energy policy report, including most notably the cost of adopting the propositions included within it, both Guernsey Electricity and Guernsey Gas welcomed the States decision on Wednesday to note it.

And although an amendment placed by Deputy Marc Laine resulted in the report not being endorsed, Guernsey Electricity managing director Ian Watson (pictued) hailed the decision to introduce a policy as an important milestone for the island.

He said it set a direction for reducing carbon emissions in future. ‘It is a global issue and unfortunately we cannot just sit back and say we are too small to make a difference so it should be someone else’s problem. An energy policy is something that we have been asking for for some years.

‘In terms of taking action, we are still in the starting blocks but the difference now is we have a firm foundation that we can build on.

‘The policy sets out the key objective, such as reducing carbon emissions and improving energy efficiency, which Guernsey Electricity fully supports.

‘The States now have a number of good workstreams which we would hope will lead to some real progress in the relatively near future.’

Guernsey Gas managing director Paul Garlick agreed.

‘We’re pleased with the outcome. The two amendments helped shape a healthy debate, which was a good example of the democratic process, and we very much look forward to getting involved in the consultations associated with the workstreams.’

But Mr Watson has reiterated his belief that low- and zero-carbon electricity will become the primary energy source.

‘As a community, we must not lose sight of the importance of issues such as security of supply and diversity.

‘Those are our top priorities. However, so too is sustainability.

‘Electricity is the one source of energy that has the potential to be generated entirely carbon-free.

‘Whether that is from renewables or other low-emission sources, we have to embrace these.’

Local carbon emissions due to electricity generation have fallen significantly since 2001 when the cable link to France was installed.

Since then, around 70% of all the island’s power has been imported.

However, 2006 saw a sharp rise due to an increase in on-island production. This coincided with a sudden fall in the oil price and because Guernsey Electricity is required to source its power on a least-cost basis it had to favour local generation over low- and zero-carbon imports from France.

Under the energy policy, that least-cost requirement will now be reviewed.

Mr Watson said that while this might not help the company’s profitability, there were sound environmental reasons to do so.

‘This is important if we want to meet the targets for reducing carbon emissions set out in the report. At the moment, the balance between import and generation is based purely on economic grounds, irrespective of the environmental cost.

‘We would like to see that change, with an annual limit being set for on-island oil-based generation.’

Although the energy policy could see an increase in imports, at least in the short term, Mr Watson said that would not make the island overly dependent on French operator EdF.

‘Our current supply contract is with EdF, but if we choose to we can go to other suppliers. We will not be overly dependent on a single supplier,’ he said.

Article posted on 27th June, 2008 - 2.29pm