Paul Fletcher

GUERNSEY must forget about gas and become a centre of excellence for renewable energy, according to eco-expert Paul Fletcher.

Mr Fletcher, who is business development co-ordinator for E-Si, the energy efficiency specialist, responded to claims by Guernsey Gas that the States should build an energy pipeline from France by saying the island should focus its attention elsewhere.

‘Has carbon-based gas and oil had its day?’ he asked.

‘We are witnessing a mass migration away from gas and oil to electric. It has got to the point now that we refuse to install carbon-based oil or gas boilers, even if they are an efficient, condensing type.

‘The future is heat pumps. The future is offshore tidal, wave and wind turbines and on-shore solar photovoltaics and micro-wind producing electricity to power ultra-efficient heating systems.’

Guernsey Gas claimed that installing a pipeline would bring energy prices down. However, that was refuted by Guernsey Electricity which said it would cost about £80m..

Mr Fletcher said there was still room for Guernsey Gas’s expertise as the island moves towards an electric future.

He said the International Energy Group, which owns Guernsey Gas, had an opportunity to get involved in the development of tidal power and hydrogen gas transport.