Deputy Mark Helyar had a petition waiting in his inbox as soon as he was elected President of the States Trading Supervisory Board.

STSB oversees the management of the States owned utilities, including Guernsey Electricity.

As the States were electing deputies to be Presidents of the island’s political committees, one man used the opportunity to push his petition against Guernsey Electricity’s pricing structure on the new STSB President, so it would be fresh on their mind, and one of the top priorities as soon as they started work.

The petition follows a protest which saw hundreds of people head to Guernsey Electricity’s Northside HQ, to speak out against increasing prices. Specifically the standing charge. 

The utility had previously told Express that it appreciates the tariff increases coming in from 1 July “will have an impact on customers that are already struggling with the cost of living”.

It also highlighted “longer term plans” to reform its charges, but detractors said these didn’t go far enough.

The latest 8% increase in the unit price of electricity, and a 27% increase in the standing charge took effect from the start of this month (1 July). 

It comes as GEL was told earlier this year (27 May), to find £1.8 Million in savings.

  • Pictured; Deputy John Gollop was one of 10 hopefuls seeking a seat in the States who attended the protest.
  • Pictured; Deputy Gary Collins, before his successful election attempt, speaking to the crowds passionately.
  • Pictured; As with all protests, the sign designs were in full force.

More than 100 people attended the protest, with more than 10 times that number signed up to the petition, with 1,400 signatures calling for “urgent action on the sharp rises in electricity prices”.

Ahead of the petition being presented to the new STSB President, protest organiser Myles Duquemin said these charges hit everyday islanders the hardest.

“The disproportionate impact on low-usage and vulnerable households, who are hit hardest by the standing charge regardless of how little they use.

“Islanders are doing their best to cut back, but year-on-year increases with no real relief are leaving many behind. Electricity is not a luxury—it’s a basic need.”

Notably, with the protest taking place just before islanders went to the polls, many of those election hopefuls were present at the protest last month.

10 election hopefuls out of the 82 running made their presence known at the protest.

Mr Duquemin said now is the time to see if they continue to shout so loudly, after the ballots have been cast and their seats in the States secured. 

“I brought the petition today because it’s the first day the new Presidents are selected — and that matters. It’s a fresh start, and islanders are hoping for a real change in how things are done”.

Mr Duquemin continued: “A lot of people felt the previous STSB leadership just didn’t listen. There wasn’t much transparency, not much clarity — and honestly, not much care either. Concerns were raised over and over again, but too often they were ignored.”

He added that with the new board comes a chance for change.

“Now there’s a new board, there’s a chance to reset. People want openness. They want honesty. And above all, they want decisions that put people first. Electricity isn’t a luxury — it’s a basic right. And this petition should be taken seriously”.