GUERNSEY’S Office of Utility Regulation has just released a 57-page document looking in detail at domestic micro-generation and the treatment of the charge for the installation of an export meter so that islanders who generate their own electricity can get a fair price.

It is, as the number of pages suggests, a complicated matter and the OUR is to be congratulated for producing a comprehensive overview that also looks at how other jurisdictions handle this issue.

For most islanders, micro-generation, either using wind, photo-voltaic cells or combined heat and power units is probably off the radar.

The capital cost – which can run into tens of thousands – plus the limited economic returns with the difficulties of getting planning permission and maintaining the units, means this will be of interest to a very limited number of people.

Indeed, to date , just two have succeeded in generating sufficient power to pass it on to Guernsey Electricity Ltd for resale.

The OUR’s report highlights the need to establish a proper framework for micro-generation because, if Guernsey is serious about reducing its carbon footprint, them this is one way that could help in the future.

Conversely, the report also indicates what an uphill struggle it will be in terms of getting that framework right  -  and overcoming the massive difference in the cost of establishing micro-generation here compared with the UK.

Yet the biggest cause of the island’s greenhouse gas emissions is road transport yet despite having had a comprehensive proposal drawn up which, with paid parking, might had reduced vehicle use and had the biggest saving on emissions, the States has for years failed to grasp the nettle.

Similarly with renewable energy.

While tidal power holds much promise, wind turbines are available virtually off the shelf with guaranteed outputs and could already be playing a big part in generating Guernsey’s energy needs. But they have been ruled out as ‘too ugly’ without debate.

The OUR’s report is a valuable document and should be pursued  – but it shows we are aiming at the wrong target.