No Manx alarm over Russia gas row

Several eastern European countries are now without supplies

The row over exports of Russian gas to Europe via the Ukraine will not affect supplies to the Isle of Man, the Manx Electricity Authority (MEA) said.

A number of eastern European countries have reported a total halt in supplies since the price dispute.

Pulrose power station runs on gas, but MEA chairman Quintin Gill said most of its fuel came from other sources.

He said there was no cause for alarm and that MEA officials were keeping an eye on the situation.

EU dependency

"We don't envisage this being a prolonged issue but of course that's an international political argument that is beyond our control," said Mr Gill.

"But in terms of resilience and security we have various measures in place so I would say to the consumers in the Isle of Man really not to be anxious about this situation

"It's one that has a limited effect on us but it's one that we will monitor very carefully."

The EU depends on Russia for about a quarter of its total gas supplies, some 80% of which is pumped through Ukraine.

The row - over prices and new contracts - has led to a suspension of supplies of Russian gas to Europe via Ukraine.

The European Union has been seeking to broker an end to the dispute.