‘Use GE’s £16m. to fund gas pipeline’
Friday 20th March 2009, 2:01PM GMT.
THE States should spend the £16m. Guernsey Electricity holds in the treasury on laying a gas pipeline, according to the International Energy Group’s chief executive.
Neil Shaw of the company, which owns Guernsey Gas, refuted Treasury minister Charles Parkinson’s comment that the States would be unlikely to fund a pipeline project.
Mr Shaw, who also has responsibility for Jersey and the Isle of Man gas businesses, said options had been overlooked and the States energy policy favouring electricity was ‘high risk’.
The pipeline model used in the IoM, he argued, would be appropriate and economically viable for the Bailiwick.
He said he was aware of the capital spending constraints that existed for Guernsey’s States.
‘We understand from Guernsey Electricity accounts for 2007/8 that it has over £16m., held by States treasury,’ he said.
‘We do not believe they have spent this money since then, and this would certainly be a good start for such a project,’ he said.
Mr Shaw said with the consent of the Office of Utility Regulation and States, Guernsey Electricity could build the pipeline without using further taxpayers’ money.
‘In the Isle of Man we have been working closely with the Manx Electricity Authority and the government bringing natural gas to the island in 2003.
‘It now has securer energy supplies for generating electricity on island and lower carbon emissions than oil.
‘The IoM government funded the pipeline and plans to fund the extension if approved by Tynwald this year.
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Ok, this is getting slightly insane. 15 years ago we put a cable link to France and then commercialised GEC. In 1999 we ‘sold’ Guernsey Telecoms giving away the fibre optic link to C&W. This year we provide the supply bit of fuel supply by purchasing some shiny new boats for the ‘supply’ company. Now we have the other utility expecting Guernsey to pay for a natural gas pipe that they will control?
So every single utility has, or intends to, have the supply part of what they do paid for by the Guernsey taxpayer.
Nice little deal going on there at our expense. Nuts.
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Guernsey Gas are merely asking for the pipeline proposal to be reviewed. There are many ways of funding the pipeline. If the States of Guernsey did provide funding they would/could recoupe expenditure by way of a transportation charge. The project would release land for other use and provide a lower cost fuel. It would avoid the costs of harbour improvements and/or the States of Guernsey buying more fuel boats. It would also secure energy supplies and reduce carbon emissions.
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Never fear Jackie. The States know best.
That is why one of the ships it bought, the Vedrey Thor has been anchored at Liverpool for over a month, having previously been anchored at Hull and off Bembridge.
Clearly the States know how to make money out of owning a ship that spends most, if not all its time at anchor.
Clearly, the way ahead is to purchase as many of the other laid up tankers as possible.
Or, is it likely the States have,or soon will discover, that ships that don’t work, don’t make money.
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>>Guernsey Gas are merely asking for the pipeline proposal to be reviewed.<<
GG are a privately owned, unregulated, monopoly company that does very very well out of its position. Why should the Guernsey taxpayer even consider this?
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Strewth Bruce!
Not only are the Aussies giving us a grossly overpriced ferry service but now they want to use the accumulated funds that belong to the consummer, and not the States, for their commercial benefit.
No doubt, as with the week kneeded acquiesence shown by the States to Condor they will roll over and agree to this. After all they waste so much of our money what is a few more of our millions!
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It seems strange that Guernsey Gas is looking at Guernsey Electricity’s profits with envy. What is more puzzling is their intent on spending another companies profits with a good idea.
How much profit has Guernsey Gas made from locals? A hell of a lot more than GE I bet.
GE prices remained static with all the fuel price hikes. The other energy suppliers were quick off the mark to hike up theirs when it suited and as slow as a tortoise when the prices fell again.
If the gas company desire this then they must meet the costs on an equal basis with all the others who stand to benefit.
If they are looking for something or nothing then look elsewhere cos this Island has little left in the pot and everybody is wanting to scrape the bottom for their own ends.
Just out of interest how much has the GG executives paid themselves in bonuses. This wishful thinking would be the cherry on the cake.
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In all the arguments about this and that, mostly construed by the English community in our Island. for their benefit.
Isn’t it about time this Anglomania of our island stopped now. and politely (if that doesn’t work, then rigorously) tell them to go back to blighty.
Leave our Island as we like it, not another little whatever to suit these parasites under nefarious names.
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Ok Eric – we’ll all go shall we?
I sincerely hope you’ll be very happy living in your mud hut with your sisters and a few ruminants. All the best.
Back to the thread – why doesn’t GE contribute towards the black hole – 10 mill would help nicely!
Obviously Guernsey Gases suggestion is really silly!
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If Guernsey Gas has to spend anything on the infrastructure do you really think that they will pay for it? The gas users will pay for it with increased tariffs and service/connection charges. Utilities never use their profit to improve their service to their customers so that they can make more profit….never! That’s why it is such a lucrative business to be in.
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