Isle of Man’s 104-km undersea power cable marks 25 years of energy resilience

A key piece of the Isle of Man’s energy infrastructure has reached a major milestone. The island’s subsea power cable, linking it to north-west England, was commissioned 25 years ago in 2000. At the time, it stood as the world’s longest alternating current (AC) undersea cable, stretching 104 kilometres across the Irish Sea.

The cable runs between Port Skillion on the Isle of Man and Bispham in Lancashire. Weighing around 5,000 tonnes, it was designed to secure the island’s electricity supply and reduce frequent power cuts. Since its installation, the interconnector has played a vital role in maintaining energy stability, allowing the Isle of Man to both import and export electricity to the UK grid.

Over the past quarter-century, the cable has generated roughly £230 million in revenue. After covering operational costs, about £80 million of that sum has been reinvested into improving and maintaining services for local customers. Alongside the power link, a fibre-optic cable was also laid, providing command and control functions while boosting telecommunications capacity. The interconnector remains a cornerstone of the island’s energy security. Its reliable connection to the UK grid has helped ensure resilience, keeping homes and businesses powered for decades.

The 104-kilometre cable continues to support the Isle of Man’s electricity needs today. Its long-term impact includes fewer outages, steady revenue, and ongoing upgrades to local services. The system’s success highlights the importance of robust infrastructure in securing energy for island communities.