The Channel Islands Electricity Grid (CIEG) is the joint company set up in 1998 between Guernsey Electricity and Jersey Electricity to operate and manage the submarine cables between mainland Europe and the Channel Islands.

The grid physically comprises a network of high voltage (90 kV, 3-phase, 50 Hz) submarine and underground cables linking the French electricity grid to the electricity systems on the islands of Jersey and Guernsey.[1] The grid enables electricity generated from renewable sources in France to be transmitted to Jersey and Guernsey.

Development

The CIEG is continuing to develop the undersea cable network with additional subsea cables between the islands and France being devised to give both Guernsey and Jersey greater security and better affordability, as they will give the islands the opportunity to increase the amount of imported energy.

Long term agreements with Électricité de France (EdF) ensure the imported electricity is low carbon.[2] Ninety percent of Guernsey’s electricity is imported from the grid.[3]

Co-operating through the CIEG means the islands can work together towards improving the reliability of the grid system.

Cable connections

Name TypeOperational periodRouteDistanceCapacityStatusNotes
Normandie 2[4] Submarine2000–presentSaint-Rémy-des-Landes,[5] France to Archirondel, Jersey17 kilometres (11 mi)90 MWOperationalCable contains fibre optic cables
GJ1[6] Submarine2000–2018

2019-present		Queen's Road, Jersey to Barkers Quarry, Guernsey37.4 kilometres (23.2 mi)60 MWOperationalCable contains 3 fibre optic cables of 24 fibres each, ceased working in 2018 after 2 faults.
Replaced in 2019 at a cost of £30m.[7]
Normandie 3[8] Submarine2014–presentArmanville (Pirou), France to Grouville Bay Jersey then to South Hill sub-station32 kilometres (20 mi) (+ 17 km overland in France and 7 km overland in Jersey)100 MWOperational
Normandie 1[9] Submarine2017–present Surville to Archirondel, Jersey27 kilometres (17 mi) (+ 2 km overland in France)100 MWOperationalWork started in 2016.[10] Follows same route as EDF1 at a cost of £40m it became operational in February 2017.
GJ2[11] SubmarineJersey to Petit Bot, Guernsey38 kilometres (24 mi)100 MWpending
GF1[12] SubmarineVale, Guernsey to La Manche, France54 kilometres (34 mi)pending
FAB Link[13] SubmarineFrance to Alderney to Britain (FAB Link)220 kilometres (140 mi)1,400 MWsuspended
EDF1[14] Submarine1984 - 2012Surville, France to Archirondel,Jersey27 kilometres (17 mi)50 MWRemovedFaulty cable lifted in 2016 for recycling[15]
Underground Archirondel substation to South Hill substation via Rue des Pres substation, Jersey Operational
Underground Archirondel substation to Queen's Road substation, Jersey Operational
Underground South Hill s/s to Queen's Road s/s via St. Helier West s/s, Jersey Operational
Underground South Hill s/s to Western Primary s/s, Jersey Operational
Underground Western Primary s/s to Queen's Road s/s, Jersey Operational
Underground Queen's Road to Greve de Lecq, Jersey (GJ1) Operational
Underground Barkers Quarry to Bellegreve, Guernsey Operational

Future

  • Possible - France to Guernsey [16]
  • Unlikely - Guernsey to Sark [17]

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Implementation of a system integrity protection scheme in the Channel Islands". 2017.
  2. ↑ "Channel Island grid strengthened". Sustainable Guernsey. 29 May 2013.
  3. ↑ "Channel Islands Electricity Grid" (PDF).
  4. ↑ "Normandie 2". 4C Offshore.
  5. ↑ (fr) Présentation de la seconde interconnexion électrique entre l'île de Jersey et la France website rte-france.com
  6. ↑ "GJ1". 4C Offshore.
  7. ↑ "Guernsey's supply of green electricity". Retrieved 22 May 2023.
  8. ↑ "New Jersey electricity cable 'will be more secure'". BBC. 30 May 2014.
  9. ↑ "Jersey Electricity signs contract for third power cable". JE.
  10. ↑ "Undersea Cable laying starts on new link to France". GE.
  11. ↑ "GJ2". 4C Offshore.
  12. ↑ "Talks under way on direct cable link with France". 6 May 2021.
  13. ↑ "The France-Alderney-Britain ("FAB") project". Transmission Investment.
  14. ↑ "The Channel Island Electricity Grid (CIEG)". Visit Jersey.
  15. ↑ "Faulty undersea cable removed ready for powerful replacement". Guernsey press. 23 April 2016.
  16. ↑ "Direct power cable to France needed – Guernsey Electricity". Guernsey Press. 4 Nov 2015.
  17. ↑ "Prove you can pay £6m. for power cable, T&R tells Sark". Guernsey Press. 27 Mar 2015.
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