Jersey’s prison will continue to be heated by oil-fired boilers for the foreseeable future because the island’s electricity network cannot cope with a greener alternative, it has emerged.
The response to a request made under the Freedom of Information Law response revealed that three 16-year-old boilers at La Moye Prison are now deemed “unreliable and inefficient in operation”.
Whilst electric boilers were considered, the prison’s current heating oil system will remain in place because switching to electricity is “not deliverable in the required timescale” and would require major upgrades to Jersey Electricity’s network in the west of the island.
The Justice and Home Affairs department explained: “Unfortunately, the Jersey Electricity network sector in this part of the island is at capacity and under seasonal restrictions, so to increase demand by changing to electricity derived heating is a long-term aim requiring significant investment and disruption to this part of the island.”
The disclosure comes after an invitation to tender was issued for the replacement of the boilers, which provide heat and hot water to 106 prison cells as well as the gym and sports hall – facilities described as “critical to the safe operation of the prison”.
According to the response, the boilers are being replaced because of equipment failures, a lack of spare parts, and concerns over reliability.
However, there is the option of converting to hydrotreated vegetable oil – a renewable diesel replacement made from used cooking oils, animal fats, and vegetable oils – “in the future”.
Fossil fuel heating is currently responsible for 14% of Jersey’s residential emissions.
Jersey Electricity last year announced a £120 million investment over five years to ensure the electricity network has the capacity to support electric heating systems in homes and businesses, and charging the growing number of electric vehicles on Jersey’s roads.
The utility company has been contacted for comment.