New model proposed for the future of Sark's power

Marcus Saul said he wanted to bring the island's energy users together with a public-private partnership

An energy provider says it wants to work with the community on the future of power in Sark.

Island Power managing partner Marcus Saul said he wanted to bring the island's energy users together with a public-private partnership.

In May it was announced Sark Electricity would be bought on 3 July by energy provider Island Power for £2.4m and moved into community ownership.

Mr Saul said an organisation called Sark Energy Unlimited would be formed in which Chief Pleas would act as a "custodian" of the energy network while his firm would ensure the right technologies were introduced.

'Eyes wide open'

Mr Saul said the partnership could see Sark and Guernsey become "the world leaders" in distributor energy networks, the technology and collaborative financial and legal models.

He said this model was different to the usual acquisition model.

He explained: "Sark has been on the very sharp end of this whereby they've had the private acquisition of the energy company.

"That in turn has meant the people in Sark haven't been able to be heard with relation to what they require for energy - that ability to transition from heavy fossil fuel-based economy into a very resilient renewable economy, what we often refer to as a natural grid utilising both thermal and electricity."

Mr Saul said Island Power would look at upgrading the grid over the next three years.

"We have our eyes wide open with regard to the grid, there's a lot that needs to be done both on the safety side of things all the way through to actively redesigning and reimagining what energy for Sark will be by 2050," he added.