Offshore wind farm proposed off Jersey's south-west coast

Environment Minister Deputy Jonathan Renouf said the wind farm should be privately funded and designed

An offshore wind farm off Jersey's south-west coast has been proposed to generate "around six times" the island's current electricity demand.

Environment Minister Deputy Jonathan Renouf has put forward plans to provide "significant environmental and economic benefits" to Jersey.

Mr Renouf said the wind farm should be privately funded and designed.

A three-phase approach was proposed, beginning with public and industry engagement, and a States debate.

A "competitive tender process" to lease the seabed would follow, after confirmation that a successful bidder had the legal right to develop the site, and consent from islanders who would assess the environmental impact of the farm.

The proposal said building a facility of up to about 1,000 megawatts would produce enough electricity to meet the island's needs, and all extra electricity would be exported.

'Greater price stability'

Mr Renouf said surplus electricity would create "new export opportunities".

He said: "The demand for clean energy is huge; and offshore wind is now a mature, proven and price competitive form of electricity generation.

"There are many potential environmental and economic benefits: access to locally-generated renewable energy can provide greater price stability for islanders at a time when energy markets are volatile.

"It would also allow us to lock in for the long-term access to low-carbon energy, with income streams to fund Jersey's transition to net zero emissions and other public services."

If supported by the States, Mr Renouf said legislation would be brought forward in 2024, then, in 2025, "the right developer" would be found to begin the project.

"This as an opportunity for Jersey to make clean energy a central part of its economic future," he said.

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