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Guernsey Electricity could be asked to help make sustainable, affordable electricity a reality for Sark under new plans to introduce a cable link with the island.
If the project is approved, a subsea cable from Guernsey would provide Sark residents with low carbon, more consistent and more affordable electricity from mainland Europe.
The plans were proposed by the Sark Government policy ‘Secure Sark’s Future’ which was launched last year to address concerns about the economic future of the island.
Guernsey Electricity has supported the Government of Sark with technical expertise and advice throughout their research into the project.
If the plans go ahead, Guernsey Electricity could be asked to oversee the introduction of the cable and manage the operation on behalf of the Sark Chief Pleas.
The costs of the project would be covered entirely by Sark residents through their electricity tariffs and would be at no cost to the States of Guernsey or other Guernsey Electricity customers.
The scheme would be subject to the approval of the Guernsey Electricity Board and the States of Guernsey.
Chief Executive Alan Bates said: “We are currently working with our shareholder to understand Guernsey Electricity’s involvement with this project. Installing a cable link to Sark would be a technical challenge but Chief Pleas believe that Sark would benefit from a more reliable supply. Importing energy has, over the long term, been less expensive than importing oil and generating on-island. It is also a more consistent and flexible source. Providing that tariffs are set correctly customers should benefit from cheaper electricity while at the same time covering the cost of the capital investment.”
Mr Bates added: “There are no plans at present for cable links to the other islands of the Bailiwick but if Alderney or Herm were to follow the same process there is the potential for further connections to be commissioned.”
