Jersey Islanders are being invited to share their views on the recently announced proposals for an offshore wind farm in the southwest of Jersey’s waters.
In October, the Minister for the Environment announced a project that would see a wind farm of up to around 1,000MW created, producing enough electricity to exceed the Island’s own needs, with the remainder to be exported.
Simultaneously, a Proposition was lodged by the Council of Ministers asking for States Members’ ‘in principle’ support for the project.
Potential environmental and economic benefits include access to locally generated renewable energy, greater price stability, new jobs, and income to fund Jersey’s transition to net zero emissions and other public services.
Alongside a formal 14-week consultation survey, a public drop-in session will be held in each parish over the next few months for Islanders to learn more about the proposals and to share their views. A post-consultation report will then be published to help inform States Members ahead of the debate on the Proposition in spring 2024.
The Minister for the Environment, Deputy Jonathan Renouf, said: “I want to give Islanders the opportunity, right at the outset of this exciting project, to feed into it with their views and to help shape our States debate. 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 as part of this 14-week engagement and consultation period.
“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.”
The Minister for Sustainable Economic Development, Deputy Kirsten Morel, said: “The proposed wind farm will stimulate job creation in the sustainable and green energy sector. One of the ambitions of the Future Economy Programme is to diversify the economy into sustainable sectors, and renewable energy is a fantastic example of one such sector.
“In major projects such as this, the voice of the Island matters, and I strongly encourage Islanders to participate in this consultation. By engaging and helping to shape this, you’re playing an active role in determining the best way forward, you’re supporting States Members with next year’s debate, and you’re helping the project move towards a shared vision.”
Islanders can find out more about the offshore wind farm proposals and have their say via the online survey. Paper versions of the survey will be available in Parish Halls. The consultation runs until Friday 16 February 2024 (5pm).
Further information about Presentation and question and answer sessions can be found here.
Additionally, drop-in sessions are being held where Islanders are invited to come along at any time to ask questions.
- Wednesday 22 November 6pm to 7.30pm at St Peter Parish Hall
- Thursday 23 November 8.30am to 10am at St Clement Parish Hall
- Saturday 25 November 10am to 12pm at the Town Hall, St Helier
- Tuesday 28 November 11am to 12.30pm at St Ouen Parish Hall
- Tuesday 28 November 1.15pm to 2.45pm at St Saviour Parish Hall
- Tuesday 28 November 3.30pm to 5pm at St Lawrence School Hall
- Saturday 9 December 10am to 11.30am at Communicare, St Brelade
- Monday 11 December 9am to 10.30am at St Mary Youth and Community Centre
- Tuesday 12 December 2pm to 3.30 pm at St Martin Public Hall
- Thursday 14 December 12:30pm to 2pm at Santander Work Café, St Helier Central
- Friday 15 December 10am to 11.30am at Trinity Parish Hall
