Manx Utilities has confirmed there is no immediate need to unilaterally strengthen the Isle of Man’s electricity grid.
The response came after Speaker Juan Watterson questioned the Chair of Manx Utilities, John Wannenburgh, about grid upgrades over the next five years.
Mr Wannenburgh clarified that the grid—comprising transmission, transformation, and distribution assets does not require reinforcement unless specific new connections linked to the energy transition programme are approved.
“From a grid capacity perspective, there is no requirement to ‘strengthen the grid for 2030’,” he said.
Demand
The report estimated peak demand in 2030 could range between 62MW and 79MW, compared to 72MW in Winter 2022/23 and a previous high of over 90MW.
Mr Wannenburgh noted the grid had safely handled higher loads in the past, including during the operational peak of the Pulrose Combined Cycle Gas Turbine plant in 2003.
While there is no need to upgrade the entire grid, targeted upgrades are underway. Manx Utilities is designing three 11kV network reinforcement schemes in Douglas and Castletown to address localised demand from new developments.
Additionally, a 33kV cable circuit between St Johns and Castletown, originally installed in 1972, is being replaced with a blend of overhead lines and cables, with completion expected by 2026.
Mr Wannenburgh emphasised the challenges of predicting future capacity needs, stating it is “often difficult to predict where the locations for the remote capacity will be to efficiently target investment.”
He also highlighted the growing role of grid-scale batteries and demand management to balance intermittent renewable generation, reducing the need for physical grid upgrades.
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