Solar array at quarry 'will generate enough power for 100 vehicles'

Wednesday 09 November 2022

Enough energy to power around 100 electric vehicles each year should be generated by a solar panel array being installed at a quarry site on the north coast, according to Jersey Electricity.

Ronez is in the process of converting the roof of its bagging shed in St. John to accommodate the array, having agreed a 25-year lease with JEC.

The installation is expected to be operational before the end of the year and is the latest solar project to be carried out in partnership with JE, which has completed several developments in recent years – including arrays at Jersey Dairy and Woodside Farm.

Ronez Managing Director Mike Osborne said: "Working with JE on this installation made perfect sense for several reasons. Increasing Ronez's sustainability is a key factor as we look to reduce our carbon footprint across our operations. As a business we are significant users of energy, so meeting any of our electricity demand from locally generated renewable energy is a step in the right direction."

Pictured: Ronez's Mike Osborne and Robin Jenkins, Mark Brandon of SunWorks and James King from Jersey Electricity.

JE chief executive Chris Ambler said the company was 'keen' to hear from prospective partners who might be interested in developing roof- or ground-based solar projects.

"While this project is smaller than our previous installations at Albert Bartlett and Jersey Dairy, it is a significant development in the use of newer, higher yielding solar technology which is opening up new possibilities on smaller roofs. It's also great to be using local partner, Sun Works, again for the installation works," he added.

"Coupled with our low carbon imported hydro and nuclear power from France, our local partnership approach enables all Islanders to benefit from locally generated renewable power delivered via the grid. It helps support the local economy and diversify our energy sources."