Alderney Electricity to brief States on oil price volatility

Tuesday, 10 March 2026 07:50

The oil tanker Sarnia Cherie at Braye Harbour - picture Alderney Electricity

Alderney Electricity's MD says he is watching the global situation closely as the economic effects of the war begin to be felt.

Alderney Electricity burns diesel to power its generators and its MD Chris MacGregor says they are due a shipment soon.

But, he says it will not be paid for until it is ready to ship, meaning it could be subject to global oil price volatility.

Mr MacGregor says as the principal shareholder, the States of Alderney will be briefed this week on the potential price impact on consumers.

He says the content of that briefing will later be shared with islanders.

People in Alderney pay a fuel cost component to their bills, which is adjusted quarterly, depending on market prices.

Alderney Electricity has gone through a period of infrastructure renewal and plans to generate up to 30% of its electricity needs through renewables - solar and wind - by the end of 2027.

But currently, Mr MacGregor says 'small islands such as Alderney, which still rely on imported fossil fuels, will inevitably feel the effects of movements in international fuel prices more than those islands with interconnectors.'

This is the undersea cable link between Guernsey, Jersey and the European grid.