Deputy Rob Curgenven has challenged STSB over the electricity tariff and standing charge increases looming next month – and whether it has made any progress on promises to make States-owned incorporated companies more transparent in their public accounting.
He’s asked the President of the States Trading Supervisory Board – which oversees the utility – about its decision to approve electricity price increases being levied from July.
“Given the current economic environment and the strong concerns being expressed by islanders regarding rising utility costs, and the cost of living more generally, has STSB considered requesting, or supporting, a freeze on electricity prices for a minimum period of one year (or more)?,” Deputy Curgenven asked.
He’s also asked questions about remuneration at Guernsey Electricity Ltd, saying that concerns have been raised with him by “a number of constituents… against the backdrop of continuing pressures on household finances”.
Citing an Express article from six years ago, where an Express reporter had asked GEL about a seven-figure-sum paid to four executive directors during 2021, Deputy Curgenven has also asked for more information around salaries and any bonuses made to staff at the power station.
In 2022, GEL explained that the total sum paid to the four directors included salaries, director fees, and other benefits, and was not a bonus.
At the time, STSB said it was “very disappointed that the company’s initial response to the enquiry from Bailiwick Express was not more informative” and is now exploring ways of making all the States-owned incorporated companies more transparent in their public accounting.
Deputy Curgenven said, having studied GEL’s most recent financial statements. he had been unable to identify any meaningful breakdown relating to remuneration costs within the published accounts.
He’s since written to Deputy Mark Helyar, the President of STSB, to ask for clarification on matters including the total staff costs at GEL during 2024, whether any bonus payments were made that year, and whether any Executive Directors received an increase in remuneration.
At the time of publication Deputy Curgenven had not yet received a response from STSB.
