Business Daily · BBC World Service

Wind power: A lifeline or gamble for islands?

April 5, 2026·17 min·1 clip

Tyler Dunn looks at a patch of sea off Jersey that could generate as much power as a small nuclear reactor.

Host Tyler Dunn opens the episode standing near Corbiere Lighthouse in Jersey, describing a stretch of English Channel that could one day match the output of a small nuclear reactor. Jersey, better known for offshore finance than offshore wind, is considering a farm of turbines clustered about 15 kilometres south-west of its coast. Jersey's Environment Minister Steve Luce frames the project as a potential win-win-win: sustainable energy, supply security, and revenue for the island's treasury. He estimates a return of roughly four times every pound invested over the 30–40 year lifespan of the farm, potentially turning a £100 million investment into £400–500 million. However, the project is currently paused pending diplomatic discussions with either the UK or France about power export arrangements. Fisherman Stephen Viney, speaking from his boat in St Helier's Harbour, warns that the wind farm could remove around 10% of Jersey's fishing grounds, with larger exclusion zones during construction lasting years. He describes a squeeze dynamic where more boats compete in a shrinking area, threatening the industry's viability, and questions whether turbines could be sited further offshore or onshore instead. Ministers insist fishing will be permitted within the farm's boundaries once construction is complete. Mark Leybourne, whose company Dyna Energy wants to develop Jersey's wind farm and who previously worked on the World Bank's Global Offshore Wind Development Project, lists islands actively exploring offshore wind: Jersey, Guernsey, Bermuda, Malta, Mauritius, and Sri Lanka. He explains that islands are structurally suited to offshore wind because they are land-poor and sea-rich, often unable to meet energy needs through onshore renewables alone. Jersey's sea area is 20 times larger than its landmass, offering substantial wind resources. Leybourne acknowledges that offshore wind costs, which fell 70–80% over the past decade, rose sharply after Covid and the Ukraine war inflated steel and capital costs, causing the UK's 2023 auction to attract no bids. He argues the fundamentals remain strong for islands comparing offshore wind costs against volatile imported fossil fuel prices. Professor Debra Greaves of the University of Plymouth explains that floating wind turbines — a newer innovation — can operate in the deeper waters surrounding many island states, expanding feasibility. She cautions that floating wind still requires significant innovation and that ports, vessels, and supply chains must be developed, with full project timelines running around 11 years from seabed lease to operation. Professor Khalil Alahi, chairman of Mauritius's renewable energy agency, describes the logistical cost premium of 10–40% that island states face when importing large components such as turbine blades up to 100 metres wide. He raises the ethical tension facing Mauritius: the country contributes almost nothing to global greenhouse gas emissions yet is among the most climate-vulnerable nations, making the sacrifice of transitioning away from fossil fuels feel disproportionate. Despite this, he says Mauritius has a shared government, private sector, and civil society commitment to coherence on climate. The episode closes with Dunn reflecting that islands have long been subject to the decisions of larger nations, and whether offshore wind can deliver energy independence and economic growth depends on both political will and a global industry largely outside their control.

As heard by us

A clear look at offshore wind as energy security, export potential, and political risk for island economies.

Offshore wind is framed here as a balance sheet question for islands: can a windy stretch of sea help places such as Jersey cut imported energy costs, improve supply security, and possibly earn export revenue?

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Why you'd press play

See how Jersey tries to turn offshore wind into energy security, export revenue, and leverage over bigger forces.

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