Jersey
Electricity Launches a New Buy Back Tariff for Renewable Energy Generators
As part of Jersey Electricity’s ongoing environmental strategy of embracing renewable technologies, the company is now offering customers a ’Buy Back’ Tariff. This enables customers with renewable energy generators such as wind turbines, photovoltaic installations, and ’combined heat and power’ units, to sell any surplus power they may produce back to the company. Jersey Electricity already offers the lowest carbon energy fuel in Jersey from predominantly nuclear and hydroelectric generation sources. This unique situation supports one of the primary objectives set out in The States of Jersey ’Draft Energy Policy’, which has been recently issued for consultation. That objective is for Jersey to use less carbon-intensive fuels, and by offering a Buy Back tariff, the JEC provides customers with the opportunity to utilise low carbon renewable generation alternatives.
If you have an existing renewable generator installed, or you are considering installing one, you can find out more about our tariff structure through the following link (Buy Back Tariff).
It is worthwhile researching the current renewable generating options before committing to any purchases, as local environmental conditions largely affect wind turbine and photovoltaic performance and ultimately determine if it is feasible to install. Therefore, it is important to deal with proven certified installers if you are considering installing a renewable generator linked with JEC’s electricity network.
We are pleased to offer the following guidance when searching for a certified renewable generator installer:
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Ensure you choose the most appropriate technology. Largely shaded areas are not conducive for photovoltaic installations, and sites that have a number of obstructions such as trees, buildings and hills, are not favourable for wind turbines. A reputable installer should be able to provide you with guidance on the most appropriate technology suitable for your particular application.
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Carefully review the costs, as some renewable generator installations can be quite expensive and the pay-back period can be considerably long. Different installers may have different pay-back calculations. It is worth asking the installer how much electricity the renewable generator is expected to generate on average relative to its supply output rating. This should be weighed up against how much electricity your household is currently consuming. In many domestic micro-renewable generator installations, the household will consume all the electricity that is generated, therefore leaving no surplus electricity available for selling back to the JEC. However, that is not to say that savings won’t be seen. In fact, consuming power from the local renewable generator means that less power is consumed from the electricity network, resulting in reduced electricity bills.
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Unfortunately, Government subsidies such as Renewable Obligation Certificates or Climate Change Levies which are offered in the UK and Europe are not available in Jersey at the present time.
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Ensure that your installer is aware of the specific technical requirements for installation in Jersey. Mainly, they should be familiar with the following UK Engineering Recommendations:
i. ER G83/1: For Small Scale Embedded Generators (SSEGs) up to 16A per phase (3.6kW).
And
ii. ER G59/1: For Embedded Generators (EGs) greater than 16A and not exceeding 5MW.
If you decide to install a renewable generator, you will need to take the following steps to apply for the Buy Back Tariff.
Step 1: You will need to complete an Electricity Supply Enquiry Form (ESE). You can download a ESE form from here ESE Form, or pick one up from La Collette, or the Powerhouse, or alternatively we can send one to you in the mail.
Step 2: Your installer must complete one of the two following forms to provide us with the details of the proposed generator and its compliance. These forms can be accessed here:
Step 3: We will process your application and undertake studies to determine if there are any electricity network implications.
Step 4: We will provide you with an approval of connection letter. There will be no additional charge for existing underground installations located in outside boxes. Otherwise, a quotation for connection may be required, which will include the terms and conditions of connection.
Step 5: If a quotation has already been provided and you wish to accept the terms and conditions for connection, you will need to sign and return the Acceptance Form included in the quotation.
Step 6: You will then need to contact us to agree to a convenient time to carry out any electricity network alterations and to install new metering equipment.
Please note that we are required to witness the test of the first connection and operation of the generator.
If you are interested in connecting a renewable generator, and have any questions relating to our Buy Back Tariff structure or application forms, please contact Gavin Glaser at the JEC on (0)1534 505315.