St Clement solar farm switched on

LOCAL politicians gathered at a St Clement field with Jersey Electricity representatives today to witness the switch-on of the Island’s first ground-based solar farm.

Work to install 7,500 panels on two agricultural fields off Rue du Moulin à Vent in St. Clement began in 2022 after the narrow approval of the site’s development.

The official switch on means Jersey’s solar generating ability has instantly doubled, with the site able to generate enough electricity to power 14% of the homes in parish – or 634 average homes – for the next four decades.

The completion of the 12-acre project, which enlisted the support of over thirty local firms, heralds a the start of new era for dual land use in the island and forms what Jersey Electricity’s chief executive Chris Ambler called “an important step forward for Jersey”.

He explained that figures from testing and commissioning phases of the site show that the solar farm generated 482 MWh of electricity in March, 30% more than the firm’s original forecast and that the firms solar projects are “consistently performing well”.

“It is in its truest sense a community-based scheme; owned by the island, through its interest in JE, providing power for the island,” Mr Ambler said.

While the fields were traditionally used for growing potatoes, they have now become home to over 100 grazing sheep from Panigot Farm, who will enjoy shade and shelter provided by the panels, while grazing on the land to keep the grass short.

Owned by Jeremy Hughes, who approached the utility company after hearing their initial plans, he said it was great to see his sheep finally in the fields, and hopes his lambing trade can expand as a result.

“It’s brilliant to see my sheep in these fields today, enjoying the land and panels’ shelter.

“With access to this land, I hope Panigot Farm will be able to expand and our lamb become a produce that is available to all Jersey people and on more local restaurant menus.”

It comes as Jersey Electricity aim to create 25 MWp of solar-generated power over the next two years across six sites, which aim to power a third of Jersey’s summer peak demand, while taking up 0.6% of the island’s agricultural land.

So far, development of another solar farm continues at Sorel Point and JE has plans for a similar project across eight St Mary fields, though the firm withdrew its application last month following Cabinet Office questions, and intends to resubmit later this year.

Mr Ambler explained that the overall project aligns with several government policies including the Island Plan, the Carbon Neutral Roadmap and Rural Economy Strategy, has boosted the local construction industry, and will contribute to the reduction of electricity prices.

“Larger projects, such as this, will help to keep electricity costs, and therefore prices, lower and more stable over the forty years the site generates power,” Mr Ambler said.

He added that the land will also now be able to regenerate and reap the benefits of greater biodiversity.

“We want to see Jersey emerge as a leader in the agrivoltaics space, providing a chance for our farming industry to diversify and build on the important traditional crops for which the island is renowned,” Mr Ambler said.

Under the conditions of the scheme, all equipment will be automatically removed at the end of the planning period and the site will be restored to bare earth.

Environment Minister, Deputy Steve Luce, who was at today’s switch-on, congratulated Jersey Electricity for furthering the island’s renewable energy capabilities.

“Low carbon energy will be critical to the Island’s energy mix in the future,” he said.

“I congratulate Jersey Electricity and its partners on developing this scheme which, as well as providing the Island with renewable energy, also helps contribute to our energy security.”

St Clement’s School pupils are set to visit the site this week to learn more about how the electricity generated powers their homes and schools.