Jersey is “particularly vulnerable” to gas leaks due to the type used in the island – and the Government is working with Island Energy to identify “areas of greatest concern”.
Infrastructure Minister Andy Jehan said that his department had been “working collaboratively with Island Energy over the last 12 months” to identify “areas of concern” in the island’s infrastructure.
In a letter to the Environment, Housing and Infrastructure Scrutiny Panel, he explained: “The type of gas used in Jersey and Guernsey is different to that in the majority of the UK and Europe and as a result the drainage networks in the Channel Islands are particularly vulnerable to gas service leaks.
“The mains gas supplied locally is heavier than air and will therefore have a tendency to make its way into the public sewer network.
“Detailed network diagrams will enable my department to prioritise investigations in those areas of greatest concern where gas and drainage networks are in close proximity to each other.”
Constable Jehan also explained that proposed amendments to the Jersey Gas Company (Jersey) Law 1989 will give his department “additional powers” to request information from Island Energy – such as detailed network diagrams.
He said that one of his department’s “ongoing issues” is “early knowledge of events”, such as gas leaks, which are known to Island Energy but which may also impact on drainage or other utility infrastructure in the area.
Constable Jehan said that it would therefore be considered “prudent” for the Home Affairs Minister to request that the utility company report the location of any gas leaks – irrespective of whether it is suspected that gas has entered the drainage network or not.
The Infrastructure Minister added: “The additional powers to request information are welcomed, pro-active notification of the existence of leaks in the vicinity of drainage infrastructure would be helpful from a network and operative protection point of view and would enable the department to undertake investigation of any potential ingress to drainage assets in a timely manner.”
Island Energy was summonsed to appear in court last month to answer charges relating to the Haut du Mont explosion, which claimed the lives of ten islanders in December 2022.
Three former employees of the utility company appeared in the Magistrate’s Court on the same day to be charged with causing the deaths of ten people due to negligence in connection with the incident.
Both cases were deemed too serious for the Magistrate’s Court and were referred to appear at the Royal Court on Wednesday 28 May.