A DECISION on offshore wind farms – described by the Environment Minister as “one of the largest projects this Island might ever undertake” – could be made in January, it has emerged.
Environment Minister Steve Luce has provided an update on the development of offshore wind proposals, following last year’s approval of a proposition to further investigate the opportunity for a farm – of up to one-gigawatt in generating capacity – in the south-west of Jersey’s territorial waters.
Deputy Luce has previously stated that officers were preparing a draft Law that would establish a framework for consenting the construction, operation and decommissioning of offshore energy installations – including offshore wind.
There will also be a proposition setting out his “proposed approach” to identifying, securing, facilitating and opening a formal leasing process “once relevant legislation and processes are in place”.
In a letter to the Offshore Wind Review Panel, Deputy Luce said: “I have been very clear that I wanted to return to the Assembly with my proposals on offshore wind before the end of this year and it is still my intention to bring forward my recommendation to the States in November.”
He continued: “I have reviewed the Assembly timetable – already busy with a number of important propositions – and in discussion with other ministers and recognising the need to give Assembly Members adequate time to fully reflect on the recommendation, a debate will be scheduled for January 2026.”
Deputy Luce highlighted the importance of “laying out the evidence” and “subjecting it to thorough scrutiny”, in order to help ensure “a considered decision on one of the largest projects this island might ever undertake”.
