Jersey gas reconnection starts six days after shutdown

Island Energy suffered a software failure on Saturday

Reconnection of gas supplies has begun in Jersey six days after customers were cut off, the government has confirmed.

Up to 4,500 customers have been without a supply since Saturday, after a software failure forced Island Energy's (IE) plant to be shut down.

The firm said supplies to "commercial, priority and vulnerable customers" would be prioritised.

Customers are urged to wait to be told it is safe before turning on supplies themselves or with engineer assistance.

IE chief executive Jo Cox said on Tuesday the firm's La Collette plant had been shut down after a "rogue code" caused a power failure, and then the subsequent failure of its back-up systems.

It led to calls from the Jersey Hospitality Association for its "urgent restoration".

'Successful checks'

Minister for Justice and Home Affairs Helen Miles, said the "welcome news" that supplies were being reconnected followed a "very challenging period for islanders".

"Ministers and officials have been informed that Island Energy have begun restoring the gas supply to commercial, priority and vulnerable customers," she said.

"This follows successful checks of the supply at key points throughout the island."

The fire and rescue service has worked in collaboration with IE as part of the process, she said, while police have been on standby to assist.

Engineer visits

"We will continue to liaise with Island Energy until the gas supply is restored to all commercial and domestic customers," Ms Miles added.

IE said customers would be informed if they needed a visit from an engineer or if they could turn the supply back on themselves "when we let them know it is safe to do so".

It said most customers who need an engineer to turn their supply back on would "receive a visit over the weekend", while those who can turn their own supply back on were likely to be informed later.

"Please do not turn on your gas unless we have asked you to do so," the firm added.