Jonathan Renouf

Just a short note to say it was great to see such strong support in the States Assembly today for the proposition to take forward the project to build a wind farm in Jersey’s territorial waters (the vote was 40-1). The final decision is of course still a long way off – but this vote sets in motion the next stage, which includes developing the consenting and regulatory frameworks that would be necessary in order to commission a wind farm. At the same time, it means that the government can engage with potential commercial partners and start discussing with them the various ways in which a wind farm could be developed.

I do want to thank the Environment Minister and the Chief Minister for their non partisan and open minded approach to the Proposition that was up for debate, which was lodged by the last government (of which I was a member). Their acknowledgement of the work done by the previous ministerial team was much appreciated.

There are a great number of very valid concerns about how the wind farm would work for the island, the potential environmental and visual impacts, and what exactly the benefits would be. Those are the kind of questions that can now be explored in great detail, all the while engaging with islanders to make sure their voices are heard. But I remain convinced that – in principle – a wind farm represents a really terrific opportunity for the island – environmentally and economically.

As I said at the end of my speech in the Assembly:

So let me finish… with a vision of the future. What kind of story do we want to tell about ourselves? What kind of island do we want to create for our children and grandchildren? Do we want to embrace the future – the net zero future? Or do we want to be dragged there, reluctantly? 

To me, a Jersey wind farm could be part of something bigger. It is an opportunity to change Jersey for the better. I like the idea of Jersey playing a significant role in creating a more sustainable future for the planet – because any wind power we generate will displace fossil fuel production. But just as importantly – more importantly – a wind farm would symbolise Jersey’s commitment to a sustainable future for islanders. Sustainable environmentally and economically. That makes us more attractive to creative, talented and entrepreneurial people. More attractive to business. More attractive to tourists. It makes us an island to which people who have left may think about returning. I think of it as green growth Jersey.

But you don’t have to believe in any of this to vote for the proposition. Because a wind farm would also be a straightforward piece of economic diversification. It’s economic development without needing new fields for building. It’s a future beyond finance for our children. It’s support for jobs in Ports, in infrastructure, in training. It’s greater energy security in a turbulent world. And in the end the vote today is just about saying all of this is a sufficiently exciting possibility that we should at least explore further.