Isle of Man: Manx Utilities has already bought 96% of its winter gas, at 101.6 pence/therm

Manx Utilities, which generates electricity on the Isle of Man and imports it through a subsea cable, has secured in advance almost all the natural gas it needs for the cold months. According to Manx Utilities Authority vice-chair Peter Reid MLC, quoted by Manx Radio, the purchases cover about 96% of requirements for December 2026 to February 2027.

The figures. Cover stands at about 98% in December, 95% in January and 96% in February, at an average price of 101.6 pence/therm in each month (one therm is about 29.3 kWh). “These purchases cover a fixed volume of 80,000 therms per day throughout the three months,” Reid said. The differences between months reflect forecast daily demand, he said, not different volumes or prices. For comparison, Trading Economics figures cited by Manx Radio show the UK gas price above 200 pence/therm at the start of November.

Context. The figures came in a written answer to Onchan MHK Rob Callister, who had said, according to 3FM, that he would ask the Manx Utilities Authority how much gas for the power stations had been bought in advance and at what cost. Manx Utilities relies on three independent supply chains – natural gas, liquid fuel and electricity imports through an AC interconnector – and owns a 20-kilometre high-pressure gas pipeline, according to the company.

What next. Meanwhile, Manx Utilities is repairing the flue at Peel Power Station, damaged by Storm Éowyn in January 2025. A specialist 220-tonne crane was due on the island on 4 November, and the final two flue sections are to be lifted into position on Thursday afternoon, 5 November, and on Friday, 6 November, Manx Radio reported. The company said the work secures the long-term viability of the stack and the operability of the power station.

The island's data is on the Isle of Man page.