Jersey Electricity (JE) has announced plans for a record-breaking £120 million investment to upgrade the island's power network, marking the "largest ever" initiative of its kind.
The five-year project aims to support Jersey's shift toward an "all-electric future" by ensuring affordable and sustainable energy access for every household and business. This upgrade goes beyond JE’s existing infrastructure programs to accommodate an expected 25% rise in energy demand.
Mark Preece, JE's Chief Operating Officer, acknowledged that while these projects will be visible across the island and may "cause frustrations," he urged residents to "bear with" them as JE works toward a greener future. The Jersey government has set an ambitious goal for the island to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050, encouraging residents to transition from oil and gas to low-carbon energy sources.
As part of the upgrade, JE plans to double the amount of cable installed each year and will upgrade 10% of the low-voltage network to allow 20,000 customers to transition to electricity as fossil-fuel heating systems are phased out under the Carbon Neutral Roadmap (CNR).
JE will also leverage smart meter data to monitor demand and network capacity more efficiently. Mr. Preece emphasised the importance of this transformation: “In the coming years, we expect a continued evolution in how our society uses electricity. With a secure and sustainable energy network, we can be confident that Jersey will continue to thrive."
He noted that JE and its partners would be working across the island, delivering this critical upgrade. “Though some work will be more noticeable, we understand roadworks can be inconvenient. We hope islanders can bear with us as we complete The Big Upgrade, ensuring reliable power for Jersey well into the future.”