Government seeks expertise for wind farm project

Jersey's government is seeking expertise to advise on the next stage of the wind farm project

Jersey's government is seeking technical advice and expertise to assist with a proposal to build a wind farm off the island's south-west coast.

Deputy Steve Luce, Minister for the Environment, said the advice would help the government make informed decisions about leasing out the sea bed.

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

Officials plan on bringing a draft law to the States Assembly either at the end of this year or the beginning of 2025 which, if approved, would allow the government to lease out the sea bed.

'Right questions'

The government said it was offering companies an 18-month contract to give advice on how the sea bed could be leased.

Deputy Luce said: "The expertise we are looking for is very technical, very legal, very specific and we don't have all that expertise in-house.

"We have never leased out the sea bed before."

Mr Luce said the government was also seeking advice on where energy from the wind farm could be exported to and the potential impact on marine habitats.

He said the advice would help the government make sure "the right kind of habitat research is done" and the "right questions" are asked.

A decision on building the wind farm would be debated by the States Assembly before the next election in 2026, he added.