Views sought on proposed Jersey offshore wind farm

An artist's impression of the proposed wind farm off Jersey's south-west coast

Islanders are being asked for their views on a proposal to build an offshore wind farm off Jersey's south-west coast.

The government of Jersey said the consultation would help inform States members ahead of a debate in 2024.

The proposal states that the wind farm, if built, would be able to produce enough electricity to meet the island's needs.

It said it would cost "several billion pounds to design and build".

Deputy Jonathan Renouf, Minister for the Environment, said the proposal was "hugely significant" for the island.

He said: "We know there is a great deal of support in Jersey for renewable energy and we also acknowledge that some will have concerns and questions that they'll want to raise.

"This would be a hugely significant development for our island and I'd encourage islanders to get involved by completing the consultation survey and attending the drop-in events."

According to the proposal, the wind farm should be privately funded and designed.

A "competitive tender process" to lease the seabed would follow after confirmation that a successful bidder had the legal right to develop the site.

It would also require consent from islanders who would assess the environmental impact of the farm.

Any excess electricity would be exported, the government said, although some energy would still need to be imported to ensure the network remains stable.

A series of public meetings and drop-in sessions are proposed as part of the consultation which closes on 16 February 2024.

A full list of the public events are available on the government website.

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