PLANNING AND ENVIRONMENT DEPARTMENT
ENVIRONMENT DIVISION
Tidal Power Group
(Public)
Purpose of the Report
To establish the membership and terms of reference for the Tidal Power Group.
Background
The Energy Green Paper, ‘Fuel for Thought?’ presented a report by a consultant AEA Energy and Environment that was commissioned by the Planning and Environment Department to investigate the potential for utility scale renewable energy for Jersey (‘Development of Jersey Energy Policy’). Their conclusions were that is considerable potential to harness energy from the Island’s natural resources (including on and offshore wind and tidal stream) and doing so will contribute to the goal of energy policy – secure, affordable and sustainable energy.
Discussion
Despite the high level analysis suggesting Jersey has good natural resources, particularly tidal resources, there are many challenges to be overcome if they are to be realised for Jersey in the future.
There is a need for further investigation into the future opportunities for Jersey in respect of tidal power.
Conclusion
The Minister for Planning and Environment has established a task group to produce a report outlining the future opportunities for Jersey in respect of tidal power and recommends to the Minister a future course of action.
The group is convened for this purpose alone but may be asked by the Minister to undertake further work following his consideration of their report.
1. The membership will comprise: Constable Dan Murphy (Chairman); Deputy Rob Duhamel; Deputy Sean Power; Sir Nigel Broomfield; Alick McIntosh (Icecap); David Padfield (JEC). Roy Bullen will also be called upon as an advisory member of the group.
2. Officer support will be from Chris Newton (Director for the Environment) and Louise Magris (Assistant Director for Environmental Policy)
3. There is no budget attaching to this work but the group can discuss the need to commission any further external work with the Environment Director. It will not be necessary to repeat the technical appraisal already carried out by AEA Technology.
4. By the end of December 2008 produce a report for the Minister that sets out the following and makes recommendations, in respect of marine tidal energy
The scope for contributing to Jersey's energy requirements from waters under the control of the States of Jersey;
The timescale for achieving this contribution;
What potential obstacles such as permission from the Crown, planning controls and marine user objections exist and how might they be overcome;
The economically feasibility of harnessing energy from local waters;
The funding mechanisms including possible strategic partnerships and access to external funding;
Activities that could be undertaken in the short term on a "no regrets" basis;
To explore the technology available to harness tidal power and the current readiness of this technology to deliver a tested solution.
6. In the production of the report, the Group will liaise with appropriate bodies including the Environment Department, the JEC etc.
7. The group is convened for this purpose alone but may be asked by the Minister to undertake further work following his consideration of their report.
Recommendation
The Minister is asked to agree the outlined establishment, membership and terms of reference for the Tidal Power Group.
.
Written by: | Louise Magris, Assistant Director for Environmental Policy |
| |
Approved by: | Chris Newton, Director of Environment |
| |
Decision ref: MD-PE-2008-0153
27th June 2008