GREEN ENERGY PLAN

Green Energy Plan

I have followed with interest the various proposals to make the island self-sufficient for power by utilising the natural resources that we have in abundance – the sun, wind, waves and tides. The ambitious plans for a wind farm out to sea off our south-west coast look extremely promising, and I would also explore ways to encourage the installation of more solar panels on our rooftops, and for these to be incorporated in new builds, alongside ground- and air-source heat pumps, and state-of-the-art insulation methods.

Guernsey is said to have some of the strongest tidal flows in Europe, and has been described as being an ideal base for tidal power generation. I understand that previous reviews have found it to be financially unviable but am aware too that technology in this area is constantly improving, and with that becoming more affordable. The island would do well to monitor the advances in this area and continue to work alongside specialist firms so that we are in a position to move forward when the economics allow.

We should also look into raising the funds required to progress this work through private investment opportunities, such as the successful Energy Co-operative groups in Spain. Guernsey is perfectly situated to become a world-leading example of how to generate clean low-cost electricity for its community. I would support moves for the island to work with specialists in the fields of renewable energies to achieve energy self-sufficiency – even to the point of producing energy surplus to our requirements so that we could become a green energy producer and sell electricity back to France via the cable link.

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