PLANS to generate electricity using gas from Mont Cuet is a good idea, but it is years too late, according to G-Can chairman Nick Day.

The Public Services Department has confirmed the plans would mean the gas could power 50 to 100 Guernsey homes.

The extraction borehole and pipework was installed during the project to extinguish a hotspot.

But Professor Day said it was an obvious decision.

‘It is very late in the day and it should have been done years ago,’ he said.

‘It is an excellent idea and it is a very obvious thing to do.’

The States approved Public Services’ proposals to produce electricity from gases produced at the landfill in 2005, before a hotspot was detected within the site.

These plans were put on hold while it was cooled and the site stabilised.

Public Services’ senior project manager Rob Roussel said now the site temperature was at typical levels, engineers could continue with electricity generation.

‘As with all landfill sites, undesirable gases are produced as waste within the site decomposes.

‘It is standard practice for these gases to be collected and used for electricity generation where practical.

‘At Mont Cuet we will harness this energy source and convert it to electricity,’ he said.