The Channel Island Electricity Grid
The network is operated and managed by The Channel Islands Electricity Grid (CIEG), a joint company set up in 1998 between Guernsey Electricity and Jersey Electricity.
In 2000, the CIEG funded their first cable, the 100 Mega watt (MW) 'Normandie 2' from France to Jersey and the 60 MW cable from Jersey to Guernsey, known as 'GJ1'.
Prior to this, the power station operated continuously, generating 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
In 2016, the original Jersey to France cable installed in the 1980’s was replaced with what is now known as 'Normandie 1' with a capacity of 100MW and a third connection to France, the 100MW 'Normandie 3' cable was installed.
Importing energy
The installation of subsea cables has transformed Guernsey’s electricity supply, facilitating major emissions reductions since its installation in 2000.
Since January 2020, all the electricty we import is bought from renewable sources
Guernsey Electricity is pursuing a direct connection to France outside of the CIEG network. The proposed cable (GeM) is likely to be specified as 100MW and will require a new substation in Guernsey, and connections into the electricity grids in both France and Guernsey.
Despite the extensive precautions taken by CIEG during the cable installation, cables do not always lay flat and straight on the seabed. Suspensions can occur even when a cable has been mechanically buried during installation, due to seabed movements or fishing operation where a cable has been snagged and lifted for example.
Generating electricity from the power station has both financial and environmental costs and we believe that importing affordable, sustainable and renewable electricity from Europe is the right solution for our small island with big environmental aspirations.