Jersey’s energy resilience has come under scrutiny in a report released by the Comptroller and Auditor General Lynn Pamment.
The report, titled “Critical Infrastructure Resilience – Energy”, highlights concerns regarding the government’s capacity to maintain energy supply during emergencies.
According to the report, Jersey lacks a clear definition of critical national infrastructure and a comprehensive infrastructure policy.
The government’s approach to understanding and securing the island’s infrastructure resilience has been put to the test by various critical incidents, including the Covid-19 pandemic, floods, gas outages and storms.
While the government has conducted debrief exercises and is working towards establishing a Jersey Resilience Law, the report suggests that capacity within the government to manage resilience is currently limited.
Additionally, arrangements to assure the resilience of energy supply are deemed weak, with unclear roles and responsibilities across government departments.
Lynn Pamment said: “Urgent action is required to put in place a robust Community Risk Register, including energy infrastructure risks owned and managed by the government and
individual suppliers.
There is work to be undertaken by the government to enable it, as community leader, to provide Islanders with assurance on energy supply, fuel storage and distribution.
“Clear, resourced action plans should be developed to demonstrate how capacity is to be enhanced in an integrated way which balances short- and medium–term risk management and the needs and opportunities of future energy policy.”
