Help for electricity bills as crude oil hits $100

Electricity bills in Alderney are due to be subsidised for the rest of the year after the cost of a barrel of crude oil exceeded $100 (£75).

Brent crude - the global benchmark for oil prices - rose more than 6% on Thursday following several days of increases.

The States of Alderney said it would give Alderney Electricity (AEL) £200,000 to offset bills on the island, which has a population of 2,167.

Its Policy and Finance Committee approved the temporary subsidy to help mitigate the impact of short-term increases in global prices on island electricity consumers.

Jeannie Cameron, who chairs the committee, said the funds would be applied directly to customers' bills.

She said: "The recent rise in global oil prices has the potential to place additional financial pressure on households and businesses at a time when many are already managing increased costs.

"This temporary measure provides a level of protection against exceptional fuel price increases while ensuring that public funds are only used where they are genuinely needed."

Cameron said unlike its sister islands Guernsey and Jersey, Alderney did not have cable supplying electricity from France.

"Diesel fuel is required to generate it," she added.

"The committee recognises that this temporary subsidy complements, rather than replaces, AEL's continuing work to secure the most competitive wholesale fuel procurement arrangements available."

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