23 July 2008
Senator Freddie Cohen has established a tidal power group to make recommendations on how Jersey could best utilise its marine tidal resources.
The Group is chaired by Constable Dan Murphy and will make recommendations to the Minister by the end of this year. Constable Murphy said ‘I am delighted to be asked to chair this group. This is a subject close to my heart and I believe there is an enormous opportunity for Jersey . I have no doubt that our investigations over the next few months will identify some challenges that will need to be overcome. However, this is an exciting area which is developing quickly. I am optimistic that we can recommend a long-term framework to the Minister that will suggest how Jersey might make best make use of this renewable resource in order to reduce Jersey’s carbon emissions and increase our energy independence’.
Senator Cohen said ‘The work we have carried out in the development of Energy Policy has identified an enormous opportunity for Jersey to attract research and development and the eventual harnessing of the Island ’s considerable tidal resources. I intend to bring the Energy White Paper to the States for debate in the autumn and its contents contribute significantly to the chief Minister’s ‘Keeping Jersey Special’ initiative. Into the long term, harvesting energy from our waters will substantially contribute to the goal of energy policy – to achieve secure, affordable and sustainable energy for Jersey ’.
-ends-
Notes to Editors:
1. For further information, please contact Constable Dan Murphy on Tel 07797 723 008 or Senator Freddie Cohen Tel 07797 714 550
2. Terms of reference for the Group (extract from Ministerial Decision MD-PE-2008-0153)
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. 3. The membership of the group comprises:
Constable Dan Murphy (Chairman);
Deputy Rob Duhamel;
Deputy Sean Power ; · Sir Nigel Broomfield ;
Nigel Broomfield retired from the Foreign Service as Ambassador to Germany in 1997. Since then he has joined the boards of various companies as a Non-Executive director with links to India and elsewhere in the world and is currently Chairman of Leonard Cheshire Disability. He has also persued his interest in environmental questions.
· Alick McIntosh (Icecap);
Alick is a founder shareholder and director of ICECAP. ICECAP is one of the largest private sector providers of emissions credits from developing world CDM Projects.
· David Padfield (Jersey Electricity Company).
David Padfield is the Operations Director of Jersey Electricity Company Limited and a Director of the Channel Islands Electricity Grid Company Limited. He is directly responsible for all energy activities in Jersey Electricity from importation, generation and production through to new business connections and metering activities. David has over 30 years of experience in Power Engineering and Electricity Supply. He is particularly interested in renewable energy and supply security, as well as making electricity affordable for all.
· Roy Bullen
Roy will also be called upon as an advisory member of the group as will others as and when required. Roy was Harbour master for 17 years and is contributing his extensive knowledge of local waters for the benefit of the group.
· Departmental support is from Chris Newton , Director for the Environment and Dr Louise Magris , Assistant Director for Environmental Policy.
gov.je