Island windfarms 'could power millions of homes'

The co-founder of an energy firm says windfarms in Jersey and Guernsey could power millions of homes

The co-founder of an energy firm says windfarms in Jersey and Guernsey could power millions of homes in the islands, as well as in France and the UK.

Mark Leybourne, co-founder of Channel Islands-based energy firm Dyna says "both islands have got an incredible potential for offshore wind".

His company is interested in developing wind turbines in Guernsey but said it could take "eight to 10 years" to build them.

Dr Leybourne thinks electricity can be sold in the UK and France: "Jersey's got potential for 1 to 1.5 gigawatts, which is something like 50 or 60 turbines" with the ability to "power at least a million homes", he said, adding: "Guernsey's probably got double the size of that potential".

Carl Meerveld says Guernsey could earn hundreds of millions of pounds per year with the creation of a wind farm

Former States of Guernsey deputy Carl Meerveld says the wind farms could be a "gamechanger" for the island's finances, but fears momentum has been lost because of the recent election in the island and new politicians forming political committees.

"Government always works slower than the private sector, which would have had contracts signed and cheques in the bank by now."

Guernsey's government would like to create a wind farm to the west of the island by leasing out the seabed, and then selling any excess power generated to markets such as the UK or France.

Mr Meerveld said the island should aim to "exploit an asset", which could "earn hundreds of millions of pounds per year" to help "fund the services that we all need and want".

"I think it would take us back to the stage in the 1980s and 90s when we had more money than we knew what to do with.

"So it will be a gamechanger for Guernsey and that's why it's so critical that this becomes prioritised and pursued."

Deputy Steve Luce urges caution

Deputy Steve Luce, Jersey's minister for the environment, says although there is "a sense of urgency" in developing a wind farm, Jersey's government needs "to be very careful that we've got all the information that we need in order to make the right decision".

States members voted in April 2024 to explore the opportunities of building a wind farm, in principle.

"There's a sense of urgency, certainly, in as much as we realise our need to reduce our carbon, our need to do what we can to produce sustainable energy," he said.

"We know the climate is changing, we know we can't have a great effect but we know that we must do everything we can to do our bit on Jersey."

Luce said there were contrasting thoughts from his fellow politicians about the benefits of a wind farm.

"Some States members see a wind farm as a financial benefit, so just generating a cheque for the lease of the seabed, if you like.

"Others members see a sustainable energy benefit, so that we're using sustainable energy and not burning nuclear power.

"Some want to see the security of our own wind farm providing our own power for our own island."

Mark Leybourne says windfarms in Jersey and Guernsey could power millions of homes locally and in France and the UK

Dr Leybourne added: "The islands may also benefit from that by buying some of the electricity themselves but, predominantly, it's about generating income and jobs.

"Jersey's got potential for 1 to 1.5 gigawatts, which is something like 50 or 60 turbines. That could power at least a million homes so, obviously, far far greater than what Jersey needs.

"Guernsey's probably got double the size of that potential so a really, really incredible export opportunity for the island."

Dr Leybourne believes Jersey should accelerate their plans for a windfarm to avoid "wind shadowing" from potential French windfarms and thus reducing income.

"If you're directly in the shadow of a wind farm, you've got less energy to use.

"We've seen this happen in French waters with the Belgians."