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2014.11.25
4.3 Deputy A.D. Lewis of St. Helier of the Minister for Transport and Technical Services regarding the disposal of Guernsey's waste:
Can the Minister state whether the department has been unable to provide the States of Guernsey with a competitive quote to provide temporary services for the disposal of Guernsey's waste using the Energy from Waste plant, and if so why?
Deputy E.J. Noel of St. Lawrence (The Minister for Transport and Technical Services):
The Transport and Technical Services Department supplied Guernsey with indicative costs for the processing of waste in the La Collette Energy from Waste plant in August 2013. These costs were provided in response to an expression of interest request for the transport and treatment of residual waste from the States of Guernsey. The T.T.S. Department took care to point out to our Guernsey counterparts that while indicative costs could be provided the principle of importing waste into Jersey is still subject to States of Jersey approval and waste regulation. We are happy to continue to work with our Guernsey colleagues to develop a solution, which is beneficial to both Islands, however it must be remembered that the Jersey plant is relatively quite small and it is unlikely that it will be able to compete on a commercial gate fee basis with much larger European plants.
- Deputy A.D. Lewis :
In the recent process the States of Guernsey asked 5 E.f.W (Energy from Waste) plants for expression of interest for disposal of Guernsey's waste. Of the 5 Jersey's gate charge was by far the highest. Does the Minister agree that the acceptance of waste for disposal from Guernsey would not only greatly assist the other bailiwick, tangibly demonstrating meaningful co-operation, but also provide vital income anywhere between £2 million and £4 million a year for which there is currently no other revenue source?
Deputy E.J. Noel:
I agree with the Deputy of St. Helier that in an ideal world it would be beneficial for the Islands to work together and, indeed, we are. I can advise Members that the Guernsey Public Services Department are due to visit Jersey to continue with talks prior to Christmas of this year just on this very topic. However, I would also like to point out to Members that although we could offer Guernsey a cheap short-term solution to their waste problems we should not do so using Jersey taxpayers' money to subsidise such an activity.
- Deputy J.A. Martin of St. Helier :
The Minister's answer has encouraged me. I just want to check that the price did include the capital depreciation of the cost of the actual plant and that is why it may be so high?
Deputy E.J. Noel:
Yes, I am happy to confirm that is the case.
- Deputy S.M. Wickenden of St. Helier :
All over Europe countries are bidding on a commercial basis for waste as a fuel for Energy from Waste plants. Can the Minister assure the House that he has sufficient fuel for the Energy from Waste plant to generate the electricity for the C.I. grid that the business case for the E.f.W. plant was partially predicted on?
Deputy E.J. Noel:
Yes, Jersey is producing currently some 70,000 tonnes per annum. The capacity in pure tonnage terms is 105 tonnes per annum but that is dependent on the calorific value of that tonnage. So it is not a straightforward matrix of weight. It is a matrix of the calorific value of that. But we do have sufficient waste to put through the plant for it to be running at reasonable efficiency and to create the energy that is required.
Deputy M. Tadier :
In his conversations with our Guernsey cousins will the Minister undertake to analyse what scope there is for recycling in Guernsey so maybe Guernsey could avoid the disaster of having an oversized monstrosity on their shores, which we cannot now do.
The Bailiff :
Deputy , I am sorry too far off the subject of the original question. Any other questions? Deputy Lewis do you wish a final question?
- Deputy A.D. Lewis :
Can the Minister assure the House that he and his officers will do everything they can to maximise his potential opportunity for mutual benefit for both Islands?
Deputy E.J. Noel:
Absolutely, but I am not going to do so at the detriment of Jersey taxpayers subsidising Guernsey taxpayers. There must be a win-win situation, which I am confident that we will be able to deliver.
[10:00]