Energy use falls again but fossil fuels remain most used source of power

ALTHOUGH almost 95% of Jersey’s electricity is imported from low-carbon sources in France, most of the Island’s total energy supply is still derived from fossil fuels.

The Government’s latest Energy Trends report, which covers 2024, reveals that liquid fuels – which includes petrol, aviation fuel and LPG but also biofuel – accounted for almost three-fifths (59%) of Jersey’s energy supply, while electricity – both imported and generated by the incinerator – accounted for the remaining 41%.

The total amount of energy supplied was one per cent lower than 2023.

When it came to usage, total energy consumption was 0.5% lower than in 2023 and the trend of burning less petrol and motor diesel continued last year.

Of total energy used, 39% was for residential use, 33% for transportation – predominantly on roads – and 28% for commercial, government and agriculture use.

Energy consumption per head of population in Jersey remained at 1.3 ‘tonnes of oil equivalent’ which was lower than the UK (1.8).

Liquid fuels accounted for just under three-fifths (57%) of consumption, while electricity accounted for two-fifths (40%) and manufactured gas the remainder (3%).

In 2024, imports of liquid fuels were 4,400 tonnes (6%) lower than in 2023.

The annual Energy Trends report examines the supply and use of energy in Jersey through the importation, distribution, and consumption of fuels such as petroleum products and electricity.

The data presented in the report provides the basis for calculating carbon emissions for Jersey, so is a key tool in assessing progress towards the Government’s ambition to reach net-zero emissions by 2050.

Overall public supply of electricity last year was 1.3% higher than in 2023.

Throughout the 1990s, imported electricity accounted for between 40% and 60% of the public electricity supply but since 2017 it has been between 94% and 96%. In 2024 it was 94%.

When it comes to total supply of energy, Jersey imported 250,000 ‘tonnes of oil equivalent’ in 1996 but this had dropped to below 140,000 by last year – a 45% drop in less than three decades.

A key factor in this decrease has been the increase in imported electricity and the complementary decrease in imported petroleum products for on-Island electricity generation.

Total household energy consumption in homes fell by 11% between 2020 and last year, with electricity accounting for over half of total domestic consumption (59%); liquid fuels accounted for 38%; and gas accounted for the remainder (3%).