Manx Utilities Celebrates 25 Years of Subsea Power Interconnection
Published: 21 January 2026
The Isle of Man is marking a major milestone—25 years since the commissioning of its subsea interconnector power cable. Installed in 2000 by the Manx Cable Company (a subsidiary of Manx Utilities) in partnership with National Grid, this 104 km cable has been a cornerstone of the Island’s energy security; supporting economic success.
In the decades before the interconnector, the Isle of Man faced regular power cuts, but since its installation and other improvements made to the Island’s power system as a whole, all Island black-outs have become a very rare thing. At the time of delivery, the cable was the longest AC (alternating current) subsea cable in the world, a groundbreaking achievement that incredibly took only two years to complete.
Weighing 5,000 tonnes, the cable was laid from Port Skillion to Bispham in North West England and was buried beneath the seabed using a specialist burial plough. Fibre optic cable was installed alongside for command and control, with capacity for telecoms.
The interconnector has very low carbon emissions here on our Island and has delivered, dependable, and reliable energy for 25 years, enabling power to be both bought and sold by Manx Utilities. This trading has generated around £230 million in revenue over 25 years. After recovering the cost of imports and operations, the surplus-around £80 million- has been reinvested to maintain and improve services for the benefit of Island customers. Over its lifetime, 2–3 billion units of electricity have been exported.
Remarkably, the cable has only been out of service for 26 days in 25 years and in part sits within a marine nature reserve. Thanks to careful maintenance, it is expected to deliver another 30 years of service.
Quote:
“Twenty-five years of continuous operation is a remarkable achievement. The subsea interconnector has been a cornerstone of our energy security, ensuring the Isle of Man remains connected and resilient. This milestone is a testament to the vision and expertise that delivered such a vital asset for our Island.” — John Wannenburgh MHK, Chair of Manx Utilities