JERSEY is making progress in talks with the UK and France over a crucial question that could determine whether the Island’s proposed offshore wind farm can become a reality.
The new Environment Minister has confirmed there has been “positive engagement” with both countries as work continues to establish what Jersey could do with the vast amounts of electricity generated by the potential development.
Senator Mary Le Hegarat said discussions over the proposed wind farm remained ongoing, following a government report which identified securing access to overseas energy markets as the project’s “next focus”.
A government report, published in November, outlined the findings of research into the feasibility an offshore wind farm of up to one-gigawatt in generating capacity in the south-west of the Island’s territorial waters.
It recommended that securing market access “should be our next focus”, citing “limited clarity from UK and French governments”.
At the time, then-Environment Minister Steve Luce explained that he had “prioritised discussions with counterparts in both the UK and France to understand the conditions under which Jersey could export energy and to ensure that any arrangement delivers a clear net benefit for Islanders”.
He noted that an offshore wind project would be “the largest infrastructure endeavour in Jersey’s modern history, offering great potential, but also requiring careful consideration”.
Providing an update to the JEP this week, Senator Le Hegarat said: “Work on the wind farm feasibility investigations remain ongoing, with positive engagement continuing with both UK and French counterparts.”
The minister added: “While discussions are progressing, we are unable to comment on any further details at this stage.”
