2000 - 20012002-2003
The following year in 2003 Guernsey Electricity achieved a new max demand record. On the 7th January 70 MW of power was supplied to island customers.
Another significant achievement was the development of a new 33,000 volt bulk supply point at Belgrave. This came into service around mid-summer of this year.
The installation and subsequent operation of the link to the European Grid has been extremely successful. The planned benefits including security of supply, reliability, price stability and environmental improvements have all been to the considerable advantage of the Island. Guernsey’s infrastructure has been enhanced and in the financial year ended 31 March 2003 83% of our electricity has been imported through the link.
During November 2003 there was the first meeting of an electricity User Council in Guernsey. The User Council offers a forum for obtaining and representing the views of electricity customers.
By the end of 2003 the company was well advanced in trialling electricity meters with two-way communication. We have installed approximately 1,000 communicating meters into customers’ premises. The meters use a combination of electricity cabling and telecommunication interfaces to provide information about electricity used without the need for conventional meter reading. It is expected that these meters will result in an improvement in customer services and remove the need for estimated readings and routine access to customer’s premises for reading purposes.