Nearly everyone who works at Guernsey Electricity received a ‘performance related payment’ last year.
The amount spent on the ‘bonus’ payments were disclosed in response to questions posed by Deputy Rob Curgenven.
The answers revealed that “performance related payments totalled £1.32 million in 2023/24 and £0.26 million in 2025, covering both staff and directors”.
The significant difference between the two amounts is down to timing, with GEL’s financial reporting period changing last year to align with the States.
Deputy Curgenven also found out that out of 250 full time equivalent positions, 240 employees received performance related payments during 2023/24, and 232 did last year.
All three of GEL’s Executive Directors also received performance related payments during both financial periods.
Deputy Curgenven had asked the States Trading Supervisory Board – as shareholder of GEL – for help in confirming the staff remuneration costs for the financial year ending December 2024.
Deputy Curgenven told Express that he had been studying GEL’s accounts for that year, as they were the most recently available at the time, after constituents had contacted him with concerns about rising electricity costs.
Unable to find the information he wanted in relation to staff remuneration, Deputy Curgenven approached STSB President Deputy Mark Helyar.
He said that GEL has to set staff remuneration at a level that ensures it is “sufficient to attract, retain and motivate directors of the quality required to run the company successfully”.
Deputy Helyar also confirmed that GEL’s Executive Directors can be rewarded for both corporate and individual performances.
It was stressed that the data for 2023/2024 includes two full end of year performance payments. The 2025 data relates to a much shorter period because GEL’s accounts were changed to align with the States and other utilities last year.
GEL added that its data will return to full year reporting in the 2026 accounts.
As shareholder of GEL, STSB sets its strategic objectives, and is not involved with setting the pay of staff and directors.
Deputy Curgenven said members of the public who have contacted him about their rising electricity bills are interested, however.
He suggested STSB should be more involved with running the island’s power station and network.
“While I welcome the STSB President’s commitment to openness and transparency, I would like to see a public discussion about how STSB, as the controlling shareholder of GEL, can help reduce utility costs for islanders,” said Deputy Curgenven.
“With Guernsey facing some of the highest electricity prices in the world, in addition to ongoing cost-of-living pressures, this is an issue that really matters to households across the island.”
Deputy Curgenven had also asked Deputy Helyar if, given the “current economic environment”, STSB had “considered requesting or supporting a freeze on electricity prices”.
Deputy Helyar did not respond to this query.
