Guernsey Electricity generator launch delayed

A decision on installing further undersea cables to allow more power importation is due within the year

The launch of a £14m electricity generator in Guernsey has been delayed while issues discovered during testing are corrected.

The 360-tonne oil-fired generator was due to come on line last month but problems were identified while it was tested for 30 days.

Alan Bates, Guernsey Electricity's MD, said they were "working through a snagging list" with contractors.

He said as it was due to last 25 years it was important to get it right.

The power station in the Vale already has five slow-speed engines and three gas turbines with which to produce electricity for the island - the oldest of which was installed about 35 years ago.

Mr Bates said: "They're old, they need to be replaced at some point.

"We're assessing whether we should be looking at on island generation or importation via cables and when that decision is made we can decide whether to replace them or not."

He said a decision on whether or not to build further undersea cable links directly to France or via Jersey was due "within the next year".

As well as the island's power station, Guernsey imports electricity from the French grid via cable links between France and Jersey and between the islands.