HUNDREDS of Islanders have signed a paper petition calling for the States Assembly to agree that ground-mounted solar developments on agricultural land should be banned in the next Island Plan.<\/p>\n
And St Brelade Deputy Montfort Tadier, who has been approached by the petition\u2019s organisers with a view to taking it forward as a proposition, said he was \u201cgenerally sympathetic\u201d to the group\u2019s point of view \u2013 and that the Island \u201cshould not be taking up potentially arable land for PV panels that could easily go elsewhere\u201d.<\/p>\n
His comments come just days after Jersey Electricity announced that it had pulled the plug on its plans for a solar farm at Belle Fontaine in St Martin.<\/p>\n
The utility company had previously stated that the ground-mounted development at the site, which is on Crown land, would generate enough electricity to power over 40% of the parish\u2019s homes.<\/p>\n
But in an update last week, it revealed that it had \u201ctaken the decision not to progress a solar development at the Belle Fontaine site\u201d, citing further research, consideration of stakeholder feedback and \u201cconsultation with the Crown\u201d.<\/p>\n
However, the statement added that \u201cJersey Electricity remains\u00a0fully committed to supporting the Island\u2019s transition to cleaner, sustainable energy\u201d through the company\u2019s Solar 5000 initiative, \u201cincluding the continued development of rooftop solar and the identification of locations where renewable generation and agricultural activity can successfully coexist\u201d.<\/p>\n
A paper petition, so far signed by more than 700 people, is calling for the\u00a0States Assembly to agree that the prohibition of ground-mounted solar developments on agricultural land\u00a0should be included within the next Island Plan.<\/p>\n
One of the petition\u2019s organisers, William Layzell, noted that the Island already had a \u201cconsistent source\u201d of green energy imported via a long-term contract with \u00c9lectricit\u00e9 de France.<\/p>\n
He explained that the group did not believe growing the number of solar farms was a \u201cworthwhile scheme for Jersey\u201d, arguing it would not necessarily serve as a greener or cheaper alternative.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe started the whole process thinking, perhaps it is good for the Island, perhaps this is the way to implement renewable energy within the Island.<\/p>\n
\u201cThen as we got into the figures, we asked the question \u2013 do we actually need it? And I think the answer is, we don\u2019t, because we have a very good supply from France.\u201d<\/p>\n
Mr Layzell contended that, while solar developments were \u201cpolitically a very attractive thing to be a part of\u201d, there was \u201ca big difference between that and then is it actually what the Island needs\u201d, adding that it was also \u201cdestroying fields in the process\u201d.<\/p>\n
\u201cIs it worth it? We\u2019ve all come to the conclusion that, no [it isn\u2019t].\u201d<\/p>\n
Deputy Tadier said he was \u201cgenerally sympathetic to the point of view of the petitioners\u201d.<\/p>\n
\u201cI personally want to see solar and PV being used much more, but government needs to lead by example and start putting it on all suitable public buildings, where efficient and cost effective,\u201d he continued.<\/p>\n
\u201cI also have concerns about food security and want to see Jersey growing more, not less. We should not be taking up potentially arable land for PV panels that could easily go elsewhere.\u201d<\/p>\n
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