Jersey Electricity says new power cable will improve supply

A new £40m underwater power cable should give Jersey a more reliable electricity supply, according to the island's only electricity company.

Jersey Electricity said the £40m cable was due to be in service by 2015.

The company said the contract with Prysmian Group was the next step in a 10-year project for a cheaper, more secure power supply from France.

The 35KM cable will connect Jersey to what Jersey Electricity called a more resilient part of the French grid.

In 2012, the island's original supply cable failed, forcing the company to generate extra power at La Collette power station, which led to a 9.5% increase in electricity prices.

In September, the island lost power when a submarine supply cable to France was broken. It was the third island-wide power cut in six years.