Due to technical updates, on 30th June, customers will be unable to submit a meter reading online.
The company dates back to 1898 when it began as a concession of Edmondson’s Electricity Corporation of London. In 1907, the Guernsey Electric Light & Power Company acquired the concession, becoming the States Electricity Board in 1932. In 1993, Guernsey Electricity was adopted as the trading name, and in 2001 became Guernsey Electricity Ltd following commercialisation.
In 1998, the Channel Islands Electricity Grid was established to operate subsea cables supplying electricity from Europe giving a secure, reliable and affordable source of energy. In 2020 the company switched from a mix of nuclear and hydroelectricity imported energy to secure 100% of its imported energy from renewable sources.
The company is the sole licenced distributor of electricity to Guernsey with over 94% of the island’s energy being supplied through the subsea cables while at the same maintaining sufficient on-island generation capacity.
The retail store is a major local supplier of a wide range of domestic appliances and home entertainment products, committed to providing high quality goods and a first class service.
Guernsey Electricity employs around 200 staff in a wide range of positions including retail, electrical operations, plumbing, finance, customer service, power station maintenance and engineering.
We have been operating for over 100 years, moving from local generation of power from coal, and later oil, to investing in cables to connect into the grids in Jersey and France through the Channel Island Electricity Grid.
in 1898 Mr F D Gripper obtained the original concession to build and operate an electricity generating and distribution system in Guernsey, on behalf of Edmondson's Electricity Corporation of London.
Cable being laid in le Bordage circa 1900
St Sampson's Harbour
Cables being laid in le Bordage
On the 20th of February 1900 the first units were generated for distribution to a limited number of consumers in Guernsey.
On the 26th of July 1900 the Bailiff opened the power station at Les Amballes.
Cables being laid in le Pollet, St Peter Port. On the 1st of May 1900 the first complaint about emission from Les Amballes power station was recorded.
Streetlighting was introduced into the High Street in St Peter Port, and for the first time, the market was lit with electricity.
Connections were made to Castle Cornet and the Castel Hospital and the States Electric Lighting Committee applied to the Royal Court for permission to build a power station in St Sampson's.
28th February 1903 plans were approved and the power station build got underway later in the year.
The Vale power station in 1904.
The States gave permission for low voltage overhead lines, and by the end of the year lines were erected in Saltpans and Bordeaux.
The Guernsey Electric Light and Power Company acquired the concession from Edmundson's Electricity Corporation.
The Guernsey Electric Light and Power Company opened a new showroom in the commercial arcade.
Staff picture taken in 1919
The Yacht Hotel, now Boots circa 1921.
The Guernsey Electric Light and Power Company turned their attention to smaller types of generating and bought two diesel engines.
The Board was appointed and nominated its first members. Cables being laid in the high street in 1933.
The States of Guernsey terminated the concession with the Edmundsons Electricity Corporation, acquired the undertaking and delivered it to the States Electricity Board to administer in trust.
German forces landed on Sunday 30th June. The German Commandant ordered that heating water by electricity for baths was forbidden, as was the use of electric lifts, fires and and radiators.
Cliff Tickners and the GE delivery van
The Electricity Board tent at the first Saumarez Park show in 1951.
A high voltage cable being laid outside the Vale Power Station
On the 8th of June a fires swept through the contracting buildings at the Bouet, destroying almost all the contents, stores, tools and two motor vehicles.
Castle Cornet floodlit at night
On the 21st of May the Lieutenant Governor, Vice Admiral Sir Charles Mills officially opened the engine hall now known as B station.
Aerial photo of the power station
The power station from the air. The Jersey Electricity Company proceeded with the installation of a sub sea cable.
The States approved the construction of an undersea cable with Jersey and France.
The cable being installed at the Havelet slipway
The Channel Island Electricity Grid was formed to operate the subsea cable. The underground cable from Havelet bay to barkers quarry was laid.
In November the first units of electricity were received from Europe.
Guernsey Electricity became a commercialised States Trading Company under the Electricity Law 2001.
In April and June the cable failed, and a section of faulty cable was repaired.
The new generator, 2D was delivered, the largest item ever to be delivered to the island.
Normadie 3 cable being buried on the beach in France.
We installed the largest array in the Channel Islands on the roof of Electricity House.
Completed installation and energisation of the replacement subsea cable linking Guernsey and Jersey returning the island to low carbon imported energy.
Posties powered by sunshine! Guernsey post solar array installed. With the 654 panels predicted to produce more than 200,00kWh, enough to power their fleet of vehicles.
We reached a new peak maximum demand of 94MW. With 93% imported from low carbon sources reducing the carbon intensity of electricity to 68g of Carbon dioxide equivalent per kwh.
Peter has an honours degree in Geology and is a Chartered Accountant. He has substantial business and commercial experience, having held a number of senior positions in both energy and consumer products industries, including being a member of the Executive Committee of the US listed company Coty Inc.
He currently holds a number of both Executive and Non-Executive Director positions, joining Guernsey Electricity Limited as a Non-Executive Director in 2018.
Gillian was appointed as Non-Executive Director of Guernsey Electricity Limited in 2018, after participating on the NED Development Programme with the company since 2016. Gillian is also Director of the Investment, Fiduciary and Pension Division at the Guernsey Financial Services Commission (GFSC), a role that includes leading policy development, supervisory oversight, risk management and good corporate governance. Gillian joined the GFSC from the UK Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), and prior to that the Cabinet Office where she was a Minister’s Private Secretary and Policy Officer. Gillian graduated from Exeter University where she read History and Politics.
Rick has 30 years’ experience of leading UK and international subsidiaries of four major banking groups. Subsequently he became CEO of a specialist family office business, managing property developments and acquiring companies. Rick now leads his own consultancy and has a range of international Non-Executive Director positions. Locally he chairs the Guernsey Banking Deposit Compensation Scheme.
He is a National Council Member for the Institute of Directors, representing the international branches. Rick holds an MBA with distinction from Warwick University; is an Associate of the Chartered Institute of Bankers; a Chartered Member of the Institute of Securities and Investments and a Member of the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners. He has also recently achieved the Henley Certificate in Executive Coaching and the Institute of Directors’ Diploma in Company Direction.
Ian is the CEO of the UK Atomic Energy Authority, the UK’s largest energy research organisation with over 2000 scientists and engineers. He has held a number of international roles in fusion research, currently chairing the IAEA Fusion Research Committee, as well as sitting on a number of ministerial committees in the UK and advising other governments on clean energy issues. He has won a number of notable international awards, including the Royal Society Kavli Medal in 2019, the American Physical Society Stix Medal in 2017 and the Institute of Physics Paterson Medal in 2013. Ian was made a Fellow of the Institute of Physics in 2013 and became a visiting Professor at Durham University in 2015.
Tania worked for German engineering multinational company Siemens for over 18 years, including five years within its NW Europe Energy business, which focussed on the construction and installation of large-scale renewable energy and infrastructure projects. She currently sits on the boards of Thrive Renewables and the Private Development Infrastructure Group, London Energy and Oxford Policy Management, and has a comprehensive understanding of sustainable energy technologies and strong governance track record. Tania is the Chair of ViaNinos UK, a charity she established in the UK in 2009 that supports children in Ecuador.
Jo joined the Board as a Non-Executive Director in 2021. Prior to embarking on a career as a Non-Executive Director, Jo was an Audit Engagement Leader at PwC where she spent over 20 years working in the Channel Islands, UK and Canada. Jo also held a number of other leadership roles at PwC including Risk & Quality, Controls Assurance and Innovation & Technology. As a Non-Executive Director, Jo sits on the Board of a number of entities including Listed Renewables, Listed Equities, Private Equity, Debt, Hedge, Real Estate and Asset Managers. Jo is a qualified Chartered Accountant, holds the Institute of Directors’ Diploma in Company Direction and also holds an Honours degree in Accounting. Jo is the Chair of the Guernsey Investment & Fund Association Executive Committee and also sits on the Guernsey International Business Association Council.
Alan became Managing Director (2010) then Chief Executive Officer (2015) having joined from Manx Gas, where he was Managing Director. He commenced his career with P&O Cruises as an Engineering Officer followed by 19 years in the oil and gas industry working for Mobil Oil/BP Oil and IEG. He has a degree in Electro-Mechanical Power Engineering and an MBA in Executive Leadership. Alan is a Chartered Electrical Engineer (MIET), a Chartered Mechanical Engineer (FIMechE), has qualifications in risk and safety management (IIRSM) and is also a member of the Institute of Asset Management. Alan is also a Director of CIEG, JLEN Environmental Assets Group, Alderney Electricity and a Board Adviser to Guernsey Water.
Sally-Ann was appointed to the Board in 2011. She is a Chartered Electrical Engineer with over 30 years’ experience in the power and submarine cable market. Sally-Ann is a fellow of the Institute of Electrical Engineers, has an MBA, and is a Chartered Director. Sally is also a Director of CIEG, International Public Partnerships (delivering responsible investments in public and social infrastructure) and Guernsey Chest and Heart.
Karl was appointed to the Board in 2021 and has over 35 years’ experience with Guernsey Electricity in multi-disciplinary roles covering financial, regulatory and engineering functions. Karl is a dual qualified Chartered Accountant (FCA) and Chartered Electrical Engineer (MIET). Karl is also a Director of CIEG.
Stuart has worked with Guernsey Electricity for 15 years. He has held positions in Operations and Asset Management and has served on the Leadership team for the last 10 years. In 2021 he became Chief Commercial Officer with oversight of the regulated and un-regulated commercial business activities at GEL. He holds a degree in Mechanical Engineering and was recently awarded an MBA from the University of South Wales.
*This position is not on the board
