A £120 million upgrade of the Island’s electricity network has been announced by Jersey Electricity – but the work will lead to roadworks and disruption, the company has warned.
The utility company has launched what it labelled the “Big Upgrade” programme, with work due to take place over the next five years to help the Island meet a 2050 net-zero emissions target.
This will involve laying 100km of cables.
As the Island moves away from the use of fossil fuels, Jersey Electricity is planning to upgrade around 10% of the low-voltage network to help meet the 25% increase in overall peak demand forecast to result from the move to an all-electric future.
Mark Preece, the company’s chief operating officer, said a high proportion of Islanders already used electricity for their heating, with around 50% doing so, compared with around 9% in the UK.
He said: “Our network is already in good shape as a result of the numbers already using electricity for heating, but this work will enable more people to make the switch.”
Describing the programme as “the most significant investment” the company has made in several years, Mr Preece added: “The Big Upgrade sets out a clear plan to secure a sustainable, all-electric future for customers and businesses.”
Jersey Electricity’s current works schedule involves laying around 7km of cables every year, and this figure will more than double as a result of the Big Upgrade.
Mr Preece said that it was inevitable that there would be some disruption as a result of what is planned, but stressed that the company was committed to improving its communication and to co-operating with other utility companies when planning the schedule of works.
He said: “Although some works will be less visible than others, we understand that roadworks can cause frustration to Islanders.
“We hope everyone can bear with us over the coming years as we deliver The Big Upgrade and continue to power our Island long into the future.”
Technology plays an important part in how the work is being planned, with data from the smart meters fitted in every home and business giving insight into energy usage, while a digital map of the Island’s electricity network shows where demand is under pressure.
Customers who will be affected by the next stages of work will be contacted by letter in advance, with Jersey Electricity also communicating through the use of media, social channels and its jec.co.uk/thebigupgrade web page.
The Big Upgrade in (approximate) numbers 2024-29
– £120 million investment to deliver infrastructure for a net-zero 2050.
– Adding 50 megawatts of new-generation capacity.
– Net-zero 2050 to bring 25% increase in overall peak electricity demand.
– 20 new substations and 30 new transformers.
– 100km of cables laid.
