During the next few weeks, the Access & Infrastructure Office intends to bring you up to date with the various projects being undertaken as part of the island's Infrastructure Plan. The main purpose of this is to a) ensure that there is an island wide understanding of the main aims of each of the projects and b) make everyone aware of the progress that has been made to date.

There are a number of on-going projects that are currently being managed by the Access & Infrastructure Office and these include:

• Energy Project E1 - Reducing the Reliance on Diesel

• Energy Project E2 – Power Station Upgrade

• Water Project W1 – Water Management Programme

• Water Project W2/3 – Water Infrastructure Upgrading - Immediate Needs

• Roads Project R1 – Roads Rehabilitation Programme

• Jamestown Rockfall Protection Project

• Design and Construction of an Ossuary in Rupert's Valley for the African Slave Remains.

So far, all of the above apart from the Ossuary have been started. It would make far too much reading if I went into detail on all of them so this week I'd like to share with you, the progress that's been made on:

Energy Project E1 – Reducing the Reliance on Diesel. The aim of E1 is, to achieve continual significant reductions in our imports of expensive fuel. There are many benefits from this.

• reduce the energy operating costs at the Power Station

• help customers to make energy savings and reduce their costs;

• reduce SHG's reliance on fuel imports which means we won't be as dependent on the supply as we are now

• contribute to a greener, cleaner environment for all

• ensure maximum operational time for all of the island's wind turbines

• replace existing street lights with solar street lights where possible around the island

• installation of solar water heating in identified facilities

• support energy efficient items such as low energy lightbulbs/solar water panels

• support an energy efficiency and energy savings awareness programme

And what have we done so far? We have created the post of an Energy Engineering Manager, which has been taken up by Kwaramba Mukarakate, better known to us all as KB. He is providing the much needed technical advice and guidance and will be heading the day to day management of both of the current energy projects.

We have also purchased and received a total of 10 solar powered street lights following a tender process, which we intend to use to replace some of the existing grid powered street lights in the outlying districts. Seven of these have already been installed around the island and the Energy Section is now assessing their performance. The remaining 3 are expected to be installed in the next two weeks. We will soon be seeking to purchase more of these solar powered lights within the coming weeks to start replacing some of those in Jamestown subject to planning permission.

We have also been out to tender for the supply of 15,000 energy saving light bulbs for installation across all SHG facilities including offices. In addition to this, we intend to issue around 5 of these bulbs per household, free of charge, to all energy customers island wide. Delivery of the lightbulbs is expected early in August 2010, and they will be issued as soon as possible afterwards. I have been advised by the Energy Section that if we assume each home has three lights operational for three hours per day then an annual bill could be reduced by up to £22 (for those on 15p tariff), £36 (for those on 25p tariff) and £43 (for those on 30p tariff) if energy saving light bulbs are used.

Continuing with this project's aim to reduce the reliance on diesel, one solar water heater was purchased and installed in the Family Center at Piccolo Hill to monitor water heating performance and assess the potential savings to the consumer. We have only been able to assess one month so far but the electricity consumption figures for the month of May was 188 units when compared to an average of 530 units per month which was consumed by the same family unit in 2009. It is too early to make any sound predictions at this time but if consumption is controlled to the same levels achieved in May, then the annual bill could reduce to £592 compared to the bill of £1,626 that was charged to the Social Services in 2009 - a potential 63% saving!

However, the assessment is still in its infancy and we'll be able to provide a better comparison at a later time.

What is obvious though, is that there are potential savings to be made and we are now preparing to go out to tender for the purchase of additional solar water heater units which we intend to install into SHG facilities such as the Community Care Complex, the General Hospital, HM Prison, Sheltered Accommodation, etc. We will also be exploring incentives to encourage those of you using electricity for heating, to replace it with solar generated power.

One possibility that we're considering is for us to meet the installation costs for consumers who purchase the appropriate solar water heater. It should be noted though, that we are still to reach agreement on this and if we did introduce such a scheme, it is likely to be done on a first come first serve basis because of the limited funding available. I will ensure you are kept updated of developments.

As you can see from the above, there is a lot going on and this is only one of many projects, and also one of the smallest. It is understandable that you might get the impression sometimes that very little is happening but it is worth noting that whilst we would all like to see visible evidence of a project in the very early stages, most projects such as those within the Infrastructure Plan, take a lot of planning before getting to any construction phase. E.g. robust tendering and purchasing processes must be followed, management consultancies must be put in place where required, full internationally recognised contract documentation must be agreed, full specifications and designs completed, planning permissions sought, environmental assessments carried out, project plans agreed, etc. All of this is time consuming and can run into months, but they are all a necessary part of the process to ensure the best possible project outcome and the best value for money.

I hope all of this helps to give you a good overview of the E1 project and next time, I plan to tell you about the second energy projectE2 - Power Station Upgrade which is a much bigger and more costly project. I am also hoping to host a public meeting on the Jamestown Rockfall Project in the coming weeks, as promised.

Meanwhile, if anyone would like to find out more about any of the infrastructure projects, then you are most welcome to call me on telephone number 2494.