Alderney Electricity looking at free energy audits

Alderney Electricity provides 90% of the island's power

A scheme that could see homes in Alderney audited for their energy efficiency, for free, could be launched.

The CEO of Alderney Electricity James Lancaster said this was one of a number of initiatives he was looking at with the States.

In a webinar aimed at attracting innovative technology to the island Mr Lancaster admitted the "environment was not the top consideration" for the business.

He said there needed to be a focus on the sustainability of electricity supply on-island, which meant "affordability and security are key".

'Helpful behaviour'

Mr Lancaster said the free energy audits would be used "to incentivise helpful behaviour" when it came to the use of electricity locally.

"A lot of the buildings in Alderney aren't energy efficient enough for things like heat source air pumps", said Mr Lancaster.

The States of Alderney has been contacted for comment.

During the call with potential partners Mr Lancaster explained the current plan for the company was to produce about a third of the island's electricity using renewable sources.

In the last eight years the company has invested £6m improving its infrastructure.

That has been paid mainly through savings made via efficiencies according to Mr Lancaster, alongside a loan from the States of Alderney in 2015 and cash reserves.

He admitted the company had not invested in its grid for years, which led to safety concerns and said a lot of the money had been spent on bringing it up to current standards.

James Lancaster told the call that tidal energy may well be the future

A study from the University of Southampton estimated the strong tidal currents in what is known as the Alderney Race could provide high amounts of tidal energy in the future.

Mr Lancaster told the call that tidal energy "may well be the future".

He said the company wanted to be a "test bed for innovation" but the island was not a "guinea pig".

"We are open for business" commented Mr Lancaster.