Storm-damaged power station stack repairs to begin

The damages to the flue cap happened during storm force winds in January

Repairs to a stack on a power station damaged by high winds during Storm Eowyn in January are set to begin.

Manx Utilities (MU) said the work on Peel Power Station would be carried out in two phases over five weeks.

The firm said as well as repairing the flue cap damaged in the storm, repairs would also be made to the other three as a precaution after inspections revealed corrosion.

The additional work would ensure its long-term reliability, MU said.

Work was initially carried out to secure the structure in the aftermath of the storm, which saw gusts of 81mph (130km/h) hit parts of the island.

Inspections of the flue caps were carried out over the summer months by specialist steeplejacks following an initial drone-assisted survey.

MU said phase one of the project, which would last for about two weeks, would first see internal preparations before the craning of the damaged flue cap to the ground for repairs.

The second phase would see the repairs section lifted back into place on the power station on the stack, with the work carried out subject to calm weather conditions.