| Department | Infrastructure and Environment |
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| Start date | 10/11/2023 |
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| End date | 16/02/2024 |
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| Type of consultation | Other |
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| Deadline for comments | 16/02/2024 |
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| Responses publish date | 28/02/2024 |
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About the consultation
In Spring 2024, the States Assembly will debate whether to support the principle of developing a wind farm in the south-west of Jersey’s waters.
The purpose of this consultation is to help States Members understand the current views of Islanders.
The consultation runs from Friday 10 November 2023 to 5pm on Friday 16 February 2024.
We want to hear from you and understand what matters to you, to make sure that your perspectives are considered and inform the States debate. Any final decision to proceed with a wind farm will not be taken for several years and there will be other opportunities for you to have your say before then.
Feedback we receive through this consultation will be recorded and included in a summary report to States Members.
The results from this consultation are not binding and this is not a referendum.
The proposition
In their debate, the States Assembly will be asked to decide whether they are of the opinion that:
- Jersey should pursue the opportunities arising from the development of offshore wind in the south-west of its territorial waters
- development of up to 1000MW should be encouraged in order to meet the needs of islanders, power our future economy and create energy for export
- the government should bring forward appropriate policy and legislation, in 2024, to set in place a process to lease, consent, regulate and decommission a wind farm
The stages in the development
Ministers are suggesting 3 stages in the development of the offshore wind farm.
An in-principle consideration
We're asking Islanders what they think so that the States Assembly know Islander’s views when they debate the Proposition in the spring. The project will only move to the next stage depending on the outcome of the States debate.
Leasing the seabed
This stage includes a competitive tender process and confirmation that a successful bidder has a legal right to develop the site.
Consenting
The consenting stage will include the development consortium consulting with Islanders, assessing environmental impacts and submitting a formal application for approval Islanders. There will be opportunities to have their say during this stage.
About the proposed offshore wind power
The proposed windfarm would generate up to around 1,000MW of low carbon electricity.
Taking into account times when it does not produce electricity (for example, when there is little or no wind), a 1,000MW wind farm would generate around 3,800GHw of renewable energy each year.
This is about 6 times the amount of electricity currently used in Jersey, and about twice as much as would be used if everything in the Island, including all heating and transport, was run on electricity. The energy that Jersey does not use would be exported to other countries.
Because wind power isn’t constant, we would still need to import some electricity to make sure that we have a consistent and stable service at all times.
Conceptual design and location
The windfarm would be built in in the south-west of Jersey’s waters, next to the existing St Brieuc windfarm. Initial investigations have identified this area as benefitting from relatively shallow sites and energetic wind conditions.
Conceptual visualisation of offshore wind farm
The costs and benefits of offshore wind
A wind farm such as this will cost several billion pounds to design and build. Because of the very significant level of investment needed, and the significant risks associated with that investment, it is proposed that the wind farm should be privately funded and built by companies that have substantial experience of similar development elsewhere.
Many of these costs need to be estimated in advance but can go up or down over time. The future price of energy also has to be assessed in order to establish how profitable a scheme may be. With this approach the benefits of an offshore wind farm for Jersey come in different forms, and should be substantial.
The way that Jersey benefits from a wind farm will depend on choices taken in the coming years, but should include the following benefits.
Energy security benefits
Jersey could enter a long-term contract to guarantee energy to the Island at certain prices. This could make local energy costs more stable in the future than they otherwise would be. In future, if access to energy becomes more contested, Jersey would benefit from knowing that it has secure access to its own energy.
Economic benefits
A windfarm at this size would create energy that, at today’s prices, would be worth around £300m a year. Much of this energy could be exported, adding a new sector to Jersey’s economy. The wind farm should also create sustainable and high value jobs in the Island, such as in supporting its operations and maintenance.
Income benefits
Developing a wind farm creates opportunities to raise income for the public purse. For example, profit made from the sale of energy would currently be taxed at 20%, and fees can be charged for access to the seabed.
Environmental benefits
Jersey would secure guaranteed access to low carbon energy that our net zero transition requires. Exporting energy will also help other countries to decarbonise too.
The role of Jersey Electricity
Government of Jersey has been in regular contact with Jersey Electricity to discuss understand the potential implications for the electricity grid and other matters.
Jersey Electricity are supportive of a new long-term source of clean, green power that Jersey can benefit from and be proud of.
Jersey Electricity will be a key partner in the future delivery of the offshore wind project. However, it is right that the Government and States of Jersey first work through how we can maximise the long-term potential and benefits of such a project and what kind of delivery mechanisms and partnerships we will need to ensure they are realised. Once these key policy decisions have been decided, future partnerships will be finalised.
Public meeting dates
These sessions will include a presentation followed by an opportunity to ask questions. You do not need to book to attend these sessions.
St Brelade Parish Hall
| Wednesday 29 November 2023
6pm to 7.30pm
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Assembly Room, Town Hall, St Helier
| Tuesday 5 December 2023
6.30pm to 8pm
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Grouville School
| Thursday 14 December 2023
7pm to 8.30pm
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Drop-in question and answer sessions
These are drop-in sessions. You are invited to come along at any time during these session to ask your questions. You do not need to book to attend these sessions.
St Peter Parish Hall
| Wednesday 22 November 2023
6pm to 7.30pm
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St Clement Parish Hall
| Thursday 23 November 2023
8.30am to 10am
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Ground Floor Meeting Room, Town Hall,
St Helier
| Saturday 25 November 2023
10am to 12pm
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St Ouen Parish Hall
| Tuesday 28 November 2023
11am to 12.30pm
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St Saviour Parish Hall
| Tuesday 28 November 2023
1.15pm to 2.45pm
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St Lawrence School Hall
| Tuesday 28 November 2023
3.30pm to 5pm
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Communicare, St Brelade
| Saturday 9 December 2023
10am to 11.30am
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St Mary Youth and Community Centre
| Monday 11 December 2023
9am to 10.30am
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St John Parish Hall
| Monday 11 December 2023
11.30am to 1pm
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St Martin Parish Hall
| Tuesday 12 December 2023
2pm to 3.30pm
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Santander Work Cafe, St Helier
| Thursday 14 December 2023
12.30pm to 2pm
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Trinity Parish Hall
| Friday 15 December 2023
10am to 11.30am
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How to submit comments to the consultation
There is an online survey in both English and Portuguese. Offshore Wind Perspectives survey
Offshore Wind Perspectives survey in Portuguese
Paper copies of these surveys in English and Portuguese have been sent to each Parish Hall.
The survey will close on Friday 16 February 2024 at 5pm so all paper copies need to be received by then. To have a survey be posted to your home you can email offshorewind@gov.je.
gov.je