Ahead of the next power price hike coming in, a concerned man has decided to arrange a protest outside Guernsey Electricity’s headquarters.
Myles Duquemin is hoping others will join him on Northside from 10:00 on Saturday 14 June.
At the time of writing, more than 600 people have ‘responded’ to an event page advertising the protest on Facebook, with 540 saying they are ‘interested’ in attending the protest.
He told Express that “hopefully many others” will join him to protest the upcoming electricity rate increases proposed by Guernsey Electricity, due to take effect in July.
Mr Duquemin said he’s spoken to many people who are already struggling financially, and he believes the next price hikes will push some people into poverty and could force others into leaving the island.
“The response (to the protest) so far has been overwhelming,” he said.
“So many people have messaged me saying this increase is going to push them into poverty. They’re already struggling to survive, and this hike could be the tipping point. And that’s just from the people who feel they can speak up. There are many more who can’t.
“The most vulnerable in our community—the elderly, those living alone, those already at the edge—are suffering in silence. Some are already sitting in the dark. Some are choosing between food and electricity. And when winter comes, they’ll be choosing between food and heat. This isn’t exaggeration—this is the real impact these price increases are having, and will continue to have.”
Mr Duquemin felt the need to organise his protest after GEL announced its prices are going up from 1 July.
In total, everyone will be paying 8% more through a combination of increases to the standing charge and tariffs.
It will be the latest in a line of power price increases reported by Express – with prices having gone up 6.8% in 2019, 4.8% in 2020, 9% in 2022, 13% in 2023, and 10% in 2024.
Mr Duquemin said added together these increases have already forced people into poverty.
He also questions the utility’s claims that it didn’t put prices up between 2010 and 2021 – with Express reporting increases in both 2019 and 2020 at least.
“Guernsey Electricity claims prices were frozen between 2010 and 2021. That may be true, but wages haven’t gone up 75% since then,” he said.
“Since 2022, unit rates have increased by 9%, 13%, 5.5%, and now another 8%—a total of over 39% in just four years, more than double the UK’s 18% rise in the same period. Meanwhile, standing charges have jumped from £49.50 to £86.75 since 2023—a 75% increase. Yet Guernsey’s cost of living rose just 4.2% this year. So how is any of this fair?”
“Speak up. Share. Stand with us. Action needs to be taken” – Myles Duquemin
The increases were announced last week – after the States Trading Supervisory Board gave Guernsey Electricity permission to up its revenue by 8%.
That extra money will come from us through a mixture of unit and standing charge increases.
One of the main reasons behind the increased costs is the imminent end of GEL’s long-term import price agreements – with money also needing to be invested in maintaining and upgrading the island’s electricity network.
STSB said it allowed GEL to put its prices up, because it also has to save £1.8million over the next couple of years.
That will be achieved through ‘efficiency targets’ set by STSB, in line with how power providers operate in Jersey and the Isle of Man.
Mr Duquemin told Express that he isn’t convinced by promises of future savings, and he is concerned with what is happening now – and the impact price hikes are having on people today.
“Guernsey Electricity’s leadership says it’s about repaying debt and maintaining infrastructure, using polished language to justify the increases. But it doesn’t feel like anyone’s being ‘saved’ or supported—it feels like ordinary people are footing the bill for mismanagement and high-level comfort.
“This island was built by working people, and it’s those same people who are now being pushed out. Guernsey cannot function without them—it’s not just a playground for the wealthy. It’s not fair that they should be skipping meals just to keep the lights on.
“If this carries on, people will suffer, families will leave, and the Guernsey we know and love will change forever.”