Debate over whether Jersey will pursue an offshore wind farm project in its territorial waters will take place at the start of next year, according to the Environment Minister.

Deputy Steve Luce said that, while he still intended to bring forward his recommendation to the States Assembly in November, he recognised the need to give Members “adequate time” to consider it.

He stated that a debate “will be scheduled for January 2026”.

By laying out the evidence and subjecting it to thorough scrutiny, we create the best conditions for the Assembly to make a considered decision on one of the largest projects this island might ever undertake

Environment Minister Steve Luce

Deputy Luce provided the update in a letter to the Offshore Wind Review Panel, which was established following last year’s approval of a proposition to further investigate the opportunity to develop a wind farm, of up to one-gigawatt in generating capacity, in the south-west of Jersey’s territorial waters.

The Minister has previously stated that officers are preparing relevant documents, including a draft law that would establish a framework for consenting the construction, operation and decommissioning of offshore energy installations – including offshore wind.

Another will be a proposition setting out his “proposed approach” to identifying, securing, facilitating and opening a formal leasing process “once relevant legislation and processes are in place”.

Pictured: An illustrative timeline of plans to pursue an offshore wind farm project in Jersey’s territorial waters.

Deputy Luce told the Panel that officers have been “working at pace on a broad range of policy issues”.

This includes:

  • Background on Jersey’s policy direction and the impact a wind farm might
    have on Jersey’s “energy trilemma”
  • The potential benefits for Jersey of building a wind farm
  • The possible impacts of building a wind farm for Islanders
  • A detailed strategic analysis of the technical options
  • The current state of the market
  • Approaches by other jurisdictions, including external relations engagement
  • Optimised approaches to legislation and regulation including Environmental
    Regulatory Assessment
  • The potential timeline for commercial development in Jersey

“I have been very clear that I wanted to return to the Assembly with my proposals on
offshore wind before the end of this year and it is still my intention to bring forward
my recommendation to the States in November,” Deputy Luce said in his letter.

Pictured: Environment Minister Steve Luce said that a debate about the offshore wind farm project “will be scheduled for January 2026”.

The Minister continued: “I have reviewed the Assembly timetable, already busy with a number of important propositions, and in discussion with other Ministers and recognising the need to give Assembly Members adequate time to fully reflect on the recommendation, a debate will be scheduled for January 2026.”

He highlighted the importance of “laying out the evidence” and “subjecting it to thorough scrutiny”, in order to help ensure “a considered decision on one of the largest projects this island might ever undertake”.