More than 100 protestors have demonstrated outside the head office of Guernsey Electricity Limited against above-inflation price rises. The island’s government-owned electricity company is raising its prices from the start of July, with some customers now paying more than they would in the UK.
Pensioner Katina Jones, 70, said she already sat “in the dark” with the lights out to save money on her bill and only used electricity in off-peak hours. A GEL spokesperson said the utility “absolutely understands the strength of feeling amongst some islanders” and the “impact on customers already struggling with the cost of living”.
The company said it had “worked hard to keep this year’s electricity tariff increase as low as possible”. Jayne Lesbirel, 65, retired recently but used to work for GEL’s predecessor, the States Electricity Board. She said she felt the reasons Guernsey Electricity gave for the price rises were “just an excuse” and that “it’s because they have a monopoly”.
Mandy Moriarty, 68, said it was unfair that the standing charge was the same for everyone regardless of how big their home was. She said: “You can’t cut down on that. I think the fairer way would be to put a little bit more on the units that you use.” GEL decided a few years ago to change the way its tariffs were structured, so people paid a higher fixed cost, known as the standing charge.
The standing charge rose more than 380% between 2021 and July 2025 – from just under £18 to £86.75 a quarter. That is nearly £40 a quarter more expensive than the highest standing charge allowed on the British mainland. GEL said 96% of its income used to come from charging people for using electricity, but as more people install renewable energy, this would mean the amount of money the company made dropped.
The company said it planned to review how it charged for electricity to make it “sustainable” – including for customers “who place a lower strain on the island’s electricity network”. A GEL spokesperson told the BBC the company planned to review how it charged for electricity to make it “sustainable” and that “there will not be further large standing charge increases” until the review had been completed.
Protest organiser Myles Duquemin said it was unfair the increased standing charge was “the same whether you’re in a five-bedroom mansion or live in a one-bedroom flat”. He said: “Electricity is not a luxury, it’s a basic human right.” He added he hoped “the rates come down and it’s reviewed by the new deputies”.
GEL said it respected “our customers’ right to raise their concerns and to attend the protest”. A spokesperson for the company thanked Mr Duquemin for “his commitment to ensure the safety and security of our staff and premises on the day”. The company took the decision to close its retail shop at its St Sampson headquarters on Saturday, as the protest was due to begin outside it.
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