The way electricity is generated and used is evolving, with customers increasingly making use of small generation technologies, such as solar power and other renewables, and using less from the grid. Guernsey Electricity still has to maintain the grid as a back-up supply for these customers if required. As a large proportion of the company’s costs are fixed and not affected by the amount of electricity used, the current tariff structure does not allow these costs to be recovered in the future and needs to change.
To help shape the development of the new tariffs, Guernsey Electricity has announced a two month consultation that will engage its customers and other local stakeholders to understand their views.
Alan Bates, Guernsey Electricity’s chief executive, says the consultation process is key to explaining the challenges faced to customers, listening to their views and energy needs, and in working together.
‘Our tariff structures have been in place since 1993 and in that time the way electricity is generated has changed significantly and also continues to change at a rapid pace, so for this reason our tariffs need to evolve to meet these advances in technology.
‘In the same way that we are committed to providing a secure, sustainable and reliable electricity service that is affordable and fair to all, we also are committed to the consultation process being transparent about the changes required. It is important Islanders take part so that they are able to have their say and shape the future of electricity tariffs for Guernsey,’ added Mr Bates.
As part of the consultation process, the company has commissioned an independent market research agency, ‘Explain’, to engage with Islanders. Initiatives will include customer workshops, consultations with a cross section of local stakeholders, telephone interviews and running surveys in venues across the Island in October and November this year.
Results from the consultation will be made public in Spring 2019.
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Customer Workshop - Thursday 25 October
We are holding an in-depth customer workshop on Thursday 25 October from 6:30-8:30pm to help shape our consultation going forward.
If you are interested in taking part, please contact our independent market research agency Explain. Our project manager is Jennifer Lagan.
email - jennifer@explainresearch.co.uk
call - 0191 261 5261
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The event on Thursday is a research workshop to test the information and videos that we want to share in the wider consultation with all the public; does it make sense? Is it clear and simple and free from jargon? This is not the only chance to have your say. This is the initial phase to prepare for the public consultation.
We are also setting up in-depth interviews with stakeholders (such as self-generators) to understand their views. Then in November and December, all members of the public will be invited to take part. We will be sharing a video with a follow-up questionnaire. There will be a team at various spots on the island for 4 days, and it will be online and available at Electricity House for those who don’t have computer access.
