Offshore wind power

About Jersey's offshore wind proposals

An offshore wind farm, with the potential to provide significant environmental and economic benefits for Jersey will be built in the southwest of the Island's territorial waters, under proposals, announced in October 2023 by the Council of Ministers.

The plans for a facility of up to around 1,000MW would comfortably produce enough electricity to meet the Island's own needs, with the remainder to be exported.

Offshore wind power proposals put forward by ministers

In their debate in spring 2024, the States Assembly will be asked to decide whether they're of the opinion that:

Jersey should pursue the opportunities arising from the development of offshore wind in the south-west of its territorial waters
development of up to 1000MW should be encouraged in order to meet the needs of Islanders, power our future economy and create energy for export
the government should bring forward appropriate policy and legislation, in 2024, to set in place a process to lease, consent, regulate and decommission a wind farm

Why wind?

Offshore wind can present significant opportunities and benefits for Jersey. These include:

environmental benefits: locking in access to low carbon energy that our net zero transition requires
economic benefits: creating a new energy export sector bringing attractive, high value jobs to the Island, and new tax revenues to support public services
strategic and social benefits:greater energy security and sovereignty, greater protection from energy price volatility, and an enhanced reputation as a forward looking and ambitious jurisdiction

Unlike tidal technologies, which the Government of Jersey continues to explore, offshore wind is now a more established industry with lower costs of production.

Process

Ministers have proposing a three-phase approach to the project:

in principle consideration: This includes public engagement, industry engagement, and the States debate on the Proposition
leasing the seabed: This includes a competitive tender process and confirmation that a successful bidder has a legal right to develop the site
consenting: This includes the development consortium consulting with Islanders, assessing environmental impact and submitting a formal application for approval Islanders have previously shown strong support for renewable energy

Reports

This report provides an updated study of the feasibility of developing offshore wind in Jersey.

Offshore Wind Feasibility Study report

Economic analysis regarding the economic potential of offshore wind for Jersey

Consultation

A major public engagement process began in November 2023 and ran for 16 weeks, including public meetings, the opportunity to view visual 'mock ups', and a formal consultation survey.

In Spring 2024, the States Assembly will debate whether to support the principle of developing a wind farm in the south-west of Jersey's waters. The purpose of this consultation is to help States Members understand the current views of Islanders.

The consultation has now closed.

Offshore Wind consultation report