When a renewable energy source such as a solar array greater than 25kw generates electricity behind a meter, Guernsey Electricity applies a standby charge to maintain the grid which the customer might theoretically need to tap into.
It has been argued by E&I that in its current form, the standby charge is acting as a barrier to renewable installations above 25kw.
The Committee submitted an amendment to its own Policy Letter following an earlier amendment from Deputy David de Lisle that raised the same issue of standby charges, while being bundled in a larger amendment that shifted focus onto micro renewables as a whole.
However, where Deputy de Lisle’s amendment lost, E&I’s more focused amendment succeeded.
E&I said the removal of the standby charge could be achieved over a period of years “through a more general review of tariffs, with tariff rebalancing potentially removing the need for any stand-by charge; however, this process is unlikely to be sufficiently expedient for the purpose of incentivising the roll out of solar PV to meet the Strategy’s proposed near-term targets”.
“Therefore, in order to expediate the removal of the stand-by charge for renewable energy installations, this amendment makes explicit that it should be considered at the next available opportunity.”
Debate continues on the Electricity Strategy and its various amendments.