Sark government says new electricity system needed

Chief Pleas says the electricity system in Sark needs an overhaul

The government of the island of Sark says it wants to completely overhaul the island's electricity network.

Chief Pleas said there were "serious health and safety concerns in relation to the condition of the electricity grid in Sark".

Sark Electricity Limited (SEL) has been in negotiations with Chief Pleas over its possible purchase of the company for more than a year.

The firm refuted the claims and said it had pushed for higher safety standards.

In a statement, the Policy and Finance Committee said reports carried out by "independent bodies" found the electricity grid in Sark to be "outdated and in a state of repair which does not meet basic British industry standards as used in the UK and Guernsey".

It said: "The installation of a completely new system is the best option to secure energy supply in Sark."

Conseiller John Guille, chairman of the committee said: "Following a year of mediation, it is disappointing that a starting point for negotiations has not yet been reached.

"Based on the current circumstances the committee is firmly of the view that it needs to find an alternative model of supply that provides long term resilience."

In a statement, Alan Witney-Price, managing director of SEL, said the policy and finance committee "fail to accept that they refuse to provide the permissions necessary to resight and replace this equipment despite committing to do so on multiple occasions starting over 18 months ago".

Mr Witney-Price said: "SEL has not watered down or reduced our safety procedures in any way since I bought the company in 2020.

"In fact, we have sought to enhance how we operate the business and pushed Chief Pleas to introduce tougher standards on safety."

Regarding the stalled negotiations Mr Witney-Price said: "Guernsey taxpayers will pay for a second grid on Sark on an island of 500 people, because Chief Pleas will not sit around a table with its utility company and agree permissions to replace ageing equipment or acknowledge its own need to first maintain key infrastructure such as The Coupe."

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