The Energy Policy to be discussed by the States of Guernsey on 25th June 2008 includes comments about replacing fossil fuels with electricity. We have serious concerns about such a proposition.

Our concerns focus on 4 areas, each of these are addressed:

We believe that there may be some misunderstanding with regard to improving security of supply.  We have heard people say that we need to reduce our dependency on fossil fuels because fossil fuels are running out.  We of course agree that eventually fossil fuels will run out, despite lots of people’s views, nobody knows when.  But we should not be panicked into making rash decisions on these grounds.  We believe the perception that replacing gas and heating oil with imported electricity in order to reduce the island’s dependency upon fossil fuels is misguided.  Europe (and indeed France) are hugely dependent upon fossil fuels.  As you all know practically all transport in Europe uses fossil fuels, as does their industry.  Europe’s electricity supplies are highly dependent upon fossil fuels (about half of European electricity generated is from fossil fuels).  Given that Europe is dependent upon fossil fuels we do not agree with the argument that imported electricity will improve our security of supply in a fossil fuel shortage situation.  With regard to promoting only one fuel, electricity, we believe that the Energy Policy will actually undermine the island’s security of supply.  The island’s current diverse energy mix has delivered security of supply to the island for many many years.