ELECTRICITY is the only fuel that has the potential to be carbon-free, however uncomfortable that might be for other power suppliers, said Guernsey Electricity. It released its latest generation statistics late yesterday afternoon after Guernsey Gas had held a press conference in the morning to criticise the proposed energy policy.

They show that in the 12 months to 31 March, 63.9% of the island’s power came from either nuclear or renewable sources. GE managing director Ian Watson (pictured) said increasing the proportion of electricity coming from zero and low carbon sources had to be a key priority if the island was to meet the proposed 80% reduction in emissions by 2050 which is contained in the energy policy.

‘The energy policy is not, as some people suggested, pro-electricity,’ he said. ‘It is simply pro reducing the island’s carbon footprint and whatever approach you adopt to achieving that, electricity is going to play a key role as it is the only fuel which has the potential to be carbon-free.’