Government economic notes for July underscore the challenges Jersey faces when it comes to improving our long-term financial outlook. And the ringing reminder that productivity needs to go up if living standards are not to go down. Message understood. How about some joined-up thinking? To join-up government with our world-class connectivity, future energy plans, the AI opportunity, and the local construction sector and what lies beneath. Basements that is – which could be the foundation for some pretty innovative structural engineering.

Basements. Out of sight and usually out of mind. Good for the mundane – car parking, say, or document storage. Great for fun – perhaps a private cinema or play zone. But how about something more productive? With a little imagination these roomy spaces could be filled with racks, servers and switchgear to become sunken data centres running the latest AI applications. Hooked-up to the outside world through the Island’s gigabit fibre network and multiple undersea cables. Enjoying super resilient back-up from the mesh of low earth orbit satellites now circling overhead. And powered by existing green electricity imports, or – thinking outside the box now – perhaps offshore wind or tidal. Or even renewable energy generated by solar photovoltaic (PV) systems, which is something T&G is already involved in.

Now, what’s the challenge with data centres? Heat. Lots and lots of heat. Time to get joined-up again and take the heat out of the problem. It may be no use to the data centre but with some clever engineering solutions to capture and harness could become a valuable source of heating other locations. A new hospital, perhaps, new school or new national gallery. How about a housing estate, agricultural buildings or even a new swimming pool – you know, one the right size for international competitions?

Achievable ideas? Yes, certainly. Easy to achieve? Certainly not. . . without a collective effort. Anyone ready to start really talking future economy? T&G is certainly up for the challenge.