Error Means No Gas For 'Several Days'

Sunday, 8 October 2023 at 10:10

Island Energy says a software error triggered the gas plant's safety procedures, leaving islanders without gas for several more days.

The restoration plan means that the company will start to bring people back onto the gas network on Tuesday (10 October).

However, Island Energy says it will likely take several days to complete.

In the meantime, everyone is advised to turn off gas appliances and all properties will be visited by an engineer before reconnection.

In its latest statement, issued shortly before 10 am on Sunday, the firm explained that if there is any risk to the network, the plant will shut down as a precaution, to ensure islanders stay safe.

This is why domestic and business gas customers were without supply yesterday (7 October), leaving people without hot water or a cooker.

Island Energy says it has isolated and fixed the issue and the network is back up, although the company says it follows strict procedures to introduce gas back into the system.

"We're working closely with the States of Jersey Police and mobilising all our staff and getting additional resources from the UK to get to customers as soon as we can.

"The restoration plan must be deployed in stages to ensure the safe introduction of gas back into the system.

"This means, from Tuesday, we will start to bring customers back onto the supply, a process that will likely take several days to fully complete."

The company says it is prioritising commercial and vulnerable customers.

It says a further update will be given at 5 pm on Sunday.