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:

From Guernsey Gas’s perspective the cost to the island in terms of disruption is not the major issue.  However we are aware of the public’s concerns with regard to disruption and feel that perhaps the full impact of phasing out gas and heating oil has not been realised with regard to this issue.  For example, we believe a number of electrical supplies to people’s homes (services) will need to be replaced resulting in digging up and replacing cables to people’s houses.  Also customers’ gas and heating oil appliances will need to be replaced with electric appliances and extensive roadworks associated with reinforcing electricity supply infrastructure will have to be undertaken, see item 1 Costs above re comment on need to reinforce.