Manx Utilities’ intention to decommission Ramsey power station in Gardeners Lane is causing local politicians some disquiet.

In response to a request for more information, the town’s commissioners have been told by Manx Utilities that the last time Ramsey power station was used to generate power was after the damage caused by the snow storm in March 2013.

This was as a precautionary measure to enhance security of supply to the north when the west coast line was damaged and the east coast line became the sole transmisson line servicing the north.

MU has informed the commissioners that a recent analysis on the security of supply for Ramsey and the north indicated an ’extremely low probability of failure’, owing to the ’excellent’ asset conditions and also the configuration of the network, which allows electricity to be back-fed from a secondary route, should the initial distribution source be interrupted.

The site will remain an operational MU site with high voltage electrical equipment providing essential power distribution for the north, in addition to ensuring the available of an alternative power generation location for the future.

However, some members remain concerned about what would happen if both the east coast and west coast power lines failed.

’It would be disastrous for businesses in the town’, said chairman Andy Cowie.

It was agreed to seek further assurances from the electricity authority.