Manx Gas alternative must be explored

Comments follow 100-strong protest

The Manx Utilities Authority could ultimately be an alternative energy provider to Manx Gas.

So says an MHK who insists the entire Manx Gas operation needs to be fully assessed.

Rob Callister’s comments follow a demonstration this week in which around 100 people protested about the company’s standing charge regime.

The separation of the cost of fuel from the cost of supplying it, through a controversial banding system, has been widely criticised.

An agreement between Manx Gas and the Office of Fair Trading, which runs until December next year, limits the company's profits-after-costs to 9.9 per cent.

Mr Callister says it’s imperative costs are driven down.