St Mary Solar Farm Put on Hold as Jersey Electricity Rethinks Energy Plans

Plans for a major solar farm in St Mary have been put on hold, according to Jersey Electricity, as the company reassesses its wider renewable energy strategy.

The proposed development at Champs Verts, which would have seen around 9,000 solar panels installed, was withdrawn earlier in 2025 following strong opposition from local residents. On Monday, the utility confirmed the project is now “under review” as part of a broader evaluation of its Solar 5000 programme - an initiative aimed at delivering 25 megawatts of locally generated solar power by 2027.

The announcement follows the recent cancellation of another planned solar farm at Belle Fontaine in St Martin. That scheme was dropped after a public consultation and discussions with the Crown, which owns the site.

Campaigners in St Mary are now seeking clarity over whether their local project will suffer the same fate. William Layzell, who leads the “Save This View” group opposing the development, said residents deserved a clear answer.

“People want to know if this plan will go ahead or be abandoned like the St Martin scheme,” he said. “These questions are likely to feature prominently in the upcoming election campaign.”

He also called for transparency over spending, adding that voters and politicians alike would want to know how much had been invested in both projects.

In response, Jersey Electricity reiterated its commitment to renewable energy, stating that solar power remains “an important part” of strengthening the island’s energy resilience and supply diversity. The company, in which the States of Jersey is the majority shareholder, said it would continue working with government, parishes and local communities as Jersey shapes its long-term energy strategy.