THE proposed energy policy is based on false assumptions, according to a consultant working for Guernsey Gas. Energy Markets International said the average emission figure for all French power generation was quoted.

Director Peter Cameron (pictured) said that to meet an additional single unit of demand, the marginal cost should be considered. That was the cost of producing one extra unit in both financial and emission terms.

‘Marginal electricity supply to the Channel Islands comes from combustible fuels – coal, oil, and gas – and from imports into France, which are also predominantly from combustible fuels,’ he said. Nuclear and hydropower were base load suppliers in France and not marginal, he said, and added that the nuclear industry there was in any case running at full capacity and would not be capable of meeting additional demand in the foreseeable future.

Mr Cameron said Jersey’s States had quoted EDF’s carbon emissions for 2006 at 56g/CO2/kWh. His company had calculated the emissions factor that the Channel Islands should use for additional electricity imports from France at 546g/CO2/kWh. The emissions factor for liquefied petroleum gas imports was put at 225g/CO2/kWh.