On the one-year anniversary of the Island reaching its record highest level of ‘peak’ electricity demand, Guernsey Electricity is offering hints and tips to customers to help manage their electricity use.
Whilst bringing benefits to customers themselves, better managed domestic energy could have the added advantage of potentially reducing the amount of future investment required in the electricity infrastructure.
On Wednesday 10 January 2024, a spell of cold weather saw demand for electricity in Guernsey hit a record high of 94.2MW. The peak maximum demand level to date this winter is 85.9MW, on Wednesday 08 January.
The maximum that can be imported through the subsea cable connecting Guernsey to the European grid via Jersey is 60MW, which means that generators at the Vale power station are required whenever electricity demand exceeds this amount.
This peak demand brings costs, both financial and environmental. Generating on-Island is more expensive than importing low-carbon electricity and results in higher carbon emissions.
Increased use of the power station also leads to more regular maintenance and repair bills to ensure the ageing generators remain ready for use now and into the future.
As more Islanders explore options such as electric heating or electric vehicles, electricity demand is forecast to rise even higher in the future. By 2050 it is predicted that most heating systems and road vehicles, such as cars, vans, buses and light goods vehicles, will be electric and peak could reach around 157MW.
Guernsey Electricity is already working to ensure the Island can meet the challenges of an increased reliance on electricity.
This includes upgrading the electricity grid, with many of Guernsey’s 870 miles (1,400km) of cables used to distribute electricity coming to the end of their life. Guernsey Electricity is also planning upgrades to the power station and options for further interconnection.
Alan Bates, Chief Executive Officer at Guernsey Electricity, said: “By working with our customers to manage peak demand down to a lower level, we can reduce the amount of money we need to spend on upgrading the electricity grid and infrastructure, whilst also minimising disruption.
“Through a combination of customer behaviour and smart technology, we believe the peak forecast in 2050 could be managed from 157MW down to around 125MW – potentially saving around £100m over the 25-year period.
“As peak electricity demand increases, even small changes in behaviour can help manage the peak and reduce the requirement for potential future investment.“
The company confirmed that it is only natural to use more electricity during colder, darker months, but by being mindful and moving electricity usage to between 11pm and 5am when demand is lower, customers can help reduce the environmental impact of using the fossil-fuel power station, whilst those on the Super Economy tariff can also save money.
Tips offered to consumers includes switching usage of some electrical appliances to off peak. This can help reduce grid demand and costs less than half the price of peak times. The best appliances are those with in-built time delays, such as direct hot water cylinders, washing machines, tumble dryers, dishwashers, electric vehicle charging points and slow cookers.
Mr Bates added: “If just 4,000 properties moved their water heating to between 11pm and 5am, we may not need to switch on the generators at the power station during peak times this winter. If they have a correctly sized direct hot water cylinder and it’s well insulated, they only need to heat water for a short time.
“It’s a little switch that makes a big impact.”
