Q&A: Thousands to be without gas for "several days" as repairs continue

Sunday 08 October 2023

Gas supply will only start to return to homes and businesses affected by the island-wide shutdown from Tuesday – but some could be waiting even longer.

Vulnerable and commercial customers will be prioritised in what Island Energy described as a stage-by-stage approach to restoring supply, which will take "several days".

Who has been affected?

Since Saturday morning, thousands of homes have been unable to use hot water, while scores of restaurants and takeaway businesses across the island to close or limit their operations as they could not use their gas cookers due to the failure.

While some had to cancel bookings, others sought alternative means to continue serving customers, such as the Bass and Lobster which used an induction cooker.

The Government confirmed that there had been "minor but manageable" disruption to one of the wards at Overdale Hospital, which they said was "being managed through our business continuity measures". 

With many individuals unable to access hot water for showers, some had suggested that this could be offered at public facilities.

Couldn’t the @GovJersey see if any of their gyms, sports centres, swimming pools or schools are powered by oil/electricity and open them up to the public to use for showering and washing on a first come first served basis until the problem with @Islandenergy_ is sorted? https://t.co/ElDjJBr1pQ

— Consumer Carl (@CarlWalker7) October 8, 2023

However, there has been disruption to warm water supply at a number of Government buildings – among them, Springfield gym.

The facility's team reported: "...We are currently unable to heat the water for showers in the main building... We would recommend customers plan to shower at home for the next couple of days as we are not expecting the gas to be reinstated any earlier than Tuesday 10 October."

Aquasplash pool will also be closed until at least Wednesday "due to low temperatures caused by the lack of gas supply to the heating facility", the Government said.

What was the problem?

In an update issued on Sunday morning, the utility company said that it had "isolated and fixed" the issue at their Jersey plant that turned the entire network 'off'.

At the heart of the shutdown was a "software problem" which Island Energy said "triggered the safety procedure which shut down the plant, which it will do if there is any risk to the network, ensuring that we are safe".

"This issue has now been fixed and we are working on the restoration plan to get the gas network back up," the statement continued.

How is it being fixed?

Customers have been advised to turn off their gas appliances and supply because it will make the process of eventually restoring supply "simpler and quicker".

The energy company said that its engineers were continue to visit all customers to check that the gas supply at the meter (emergency control valve) has been switched off properly and, if not, to do this for them.

Island Energy said it was "working closely" with the Government and Police, as well as bringing in "additional resources from the UK" to "get to customers as soon as we can".

We have isolated and fixed the software issue at our plant in Jersey. The restoration plan must be deployed in stages to ensure the safe introduction of gas back into the system. From Tuesday, we will start to bring customers back onto supply

Read in full https://t.co/oMbXLrHkFo pic.twitter.com/z1ZzCt2goj

— Island Energy (@Islandenergy_) October 8, 2023

“As we’ve outlined, there are strict procedures we need to follow to make sure we introduce gas back into the system in a controlled and safe manner," Island Energy continued.

"The restoration plan must be deployed in stages to ensure the safe introduction of gas back into the system."

When will gas supply be restored?

Island Energy said that supply would start to be restored from Tuesday at the earliest, and that the process will take "several days", meaning even those helped soonest will have gone nearly four days without gas.

Hospitality, care sector and vulnerable households will be prioritised.

The Government urged islanders to "check in on your loved ones and neighbours who may be without hot water or heating".

Ministers and officials are in close and continuous dialogue with @Islandenergy_ on the disruption to the gas supply.

Island Energy have indicated that connections will start to be restored from Tuesday.

— Government of Jersey (@GovJersey) October 8, 2023

Island Energy said anyone concerned about a neighbour or relative should call them on 01534 755500.

Customers were advised on Saturday to take the following steps in the interim:

• Turn off any gas appliances that were in use

• If you know where it is, turn off the gas supply at the meter (emergency control valve)

• Do not attempt to use any gas appliances or turn on the supply until it has been checked by Island Energy authorised personnel.

How many homes and businesses are affected?

Island Energy has around 4,400 customers in Jersey, either with boilers for heating and hot water, gas for cooking or both, the company said.

Of these, just under half of these are heating and hot water customers. Approximately 1,200 of these customers have a combination boiler, "which means they won't have any alternative means of getting hot water", according to Island Energy.

The utility company also confirmed it had around 400 commercial customers, who require a mix of hot water and cooking. They said that visits to all commercial customers had been completed by Sunday.

Follow Express for updates...