Opera House electrical use 'unethical' - audit

The opera house is due to reopen to the public in May

An expert report into Jersey's refurbished Opera House found its lighting system used an "unethical" amount of electricity.

The independent lighting audit was taken in the final stages of the government-funded £11.5m project and noted the older-style lighting and control desk needed modernising.

It said the green credentials of the older kit were "completely incompatible with a modern requirement" using up to 80% more electricity than LEDs.

Deputy Kirsten Morel, minister for sustainable economic development, said the report confirmed performances could be put on at the opera house using the current lighting, and carbon-saving improvements had been made to the heating system.

'Heavy on consumption'

The opera house, which has been approached for comment, made a request for extra funding to modernise equipment in January.

The report was commissioned by the government in February and carried out by a company called Lighting Plan.

The audit results were made available through a freedom of information request made to the Government of Jersey.

The report said: "The current fixtures are perfectly capable of lighting a wide variety of presentations including drama, dance, opera, musicals, comedy, and conferences.

"However, most of the fixtures currently in the Opera House stock are older-style "conventionals" that have a tungsten source that require hefty phase control dimming."

It added the lights were "hugely heavy on electricity consumption", regarded now as "unethical" when utilised in a theatre that has undergone a recent refurbishment.

It also said the control system in the theatre required "a high level of niche training in order to be operated".

"A touring company visiting the theatre would most likely not be able to use it, preferring instead the industry standard which they would tour in with the show."

'Outcry'

The report noted the lighting system would eventually need to be replaced. "If seen as a purely short-term remedial placeholder before the fixtures are replaced with ethical sources then of course the theatre could open and service a variety of shows' needs," it said.

"In today's world, the transition to a more sustainable, energy-efficient future has never been more vital."

The report recommended that a full LED lighting rig of automated and static fixtures be installed either in parts or at once.

"I reiterate that after any refurbishment the outcry at using these inefficient technologies would be justified and doubtless fail the energy efficiency projected for the building pre-renovations," it said.

'Beloved building'

Morel said the audit had confirmed performances could be put on at the opera house using the existing equipment.

He said: "It should be noted the unethical point related to the current equipment using much more electricity than modern lighting, with the inference being that greater energy usage was linked to more fossil fuel being used.

"With Jersey's electricity being generated from nuclear power, the issue of the power use is less significant that the report suggests.

He added: "Separately, and in keeping with the government's Carbon Neutral Roadmap, old gas boilers and heating systems were replaced as part of the refurbishment.

"Work is continuing to determine how best to ensure there is appropriate investment not just in lighting equipment but in every aspect of this beloved Grade 2 listed building."