Offshore renewables commission to be introduced

Plans to introduce an independent body to oversee the commercial development of offshore renewable energy locally have been approved.

The Offshore Renewable Energy Commission (OREC) would be responsible for licensing marine renewable energy, including offshore wind, officials said.

An additional £100,000 to an already agreed £200,000 has been earmarked from the 2025 budget in order to help establish the new commission.

Deputy Carl Meerveld said: "It is an important step in preparing to hopefully go to market with a project for Guernsey to earn significant revenue that is not dependent on taxation."

All propositions for the commission were passed by an overwhelming majority.

Previously, E&I said it wanted to agree the "practical details" now, but OREC would be set up once there was "greater certainty around potential offshore renewable projects".

When asked about discussions about harnessing wind power in Guernsey, Meerveld said: "We have been approached by a number of companies with several of them approaching us to try and do exclusive deals."

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