ENVIRONMENTAL CREDENTIALS OF ELECTRICITY

Jersey Electricity recognises the link between carbon emissions and climate change. Long before the Kyoto Climate Change Treaty we started reducing the Island's carbon emissions by importing low carbon nuclear electricity from France's main energy supplier, Électricité de France (EDF).

Prior to this, most of the Island's electricity was generated at La Collette Power Station by burning oil.  One of the by products of burning any oil-based products­ - including gas - is the release of CO2 emissions into the atmosphere which is damaging to the environment by speeding up global warming.

 

Jersey Electricity now imports in excess of 90% of its power from EDF (France) compared with just 45% in 1990, the year in which the Kyoto Treaty was signed. This has led to Jersey Electricity being virtually the sole driver of the Island's reduction in carbon emissions - a reduction of one third since 1990 despite a 50% increase in overall energy consumption.

The graphs below show firstly the reduction in electricity emissions over the period and the following illustration reflects the overall increase in electricity usage. 

Energy related carbon emissions, 1991-2008


Source: Jersey Energy Trends - States Statistics Dept.  http://www.gov.je/NR/rdonlyres/F8371643-079F-4DEB-A98F-AE57CA4B6111/0/JerseyEnergyTrends2008.pdf


Total public Electricity supply (PES) and imports, 1991-2008

Jersey Electricity seeks to supply electricity to the Island within the expectations laid down by government policy, including the current Energy Policy being considered by the States.  Jersey Electricity is supportive of the policy's aims and is focusing its activities to meet future expectations.

The aim of the Island's draft Energy Policy is to achieve:

1. Secure energy supplies.
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2. Affordable energy supplies

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3. Sustainable energy supplies

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An energy framework was proposed which establishes a priority for action.

1.Use less

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2. Use less carbon intensive fuels

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3. Use less imported energy

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4. Reduce other impacts         

5. Offset residual carbon emissions