Too soon to price up new interconnector says MU chair

New subsea cable is years away from reality 

The chair of Manx Utilities says it's far too early to say how much a new interconnector could cost.

John Wannenburgh says an estimated £200m figure is only 'indicative' and an 'estimate should be regarded as a high-level planning figure which is likely to vary if and as the project develops'.

He told Tynwald this week: "The eventual cost will depend upon a range of factors including detailed design, procurement strategy, regulatory requirements, grid connection arrangements and prevailing market conditions at the time of construction. 

"In particular international commodity prices, supply-chain pressures and wider economic conditions have shown considerable volatility in recent years, making long-term cost forecasting inherently uncertain."

He added that even if the scheme was greenlit today the 'earliest realistic commissioning date would be around 2031' meaning any current estimate is based on assumptions regarding future market conditions several years in advance.

A new interconnector forms part of government's plans for longer-term energy transition planning and is being considered alongside renewables, energy storage and wider network investment.