IoM Energy brands proposed law restricting gas disconnections 'anti-competitive'

"Government has taken this unnecessary measure rather than seeking to engage in a collaborative way to find an agreeable solution", says IOM Energy

Isle of Man Energy has labelled government’s decision to try and impose laws which would restrict the supplier disconnecting certain residents ‘unnecessary’ and ‘disappointing’.

The House of Keys and Legislative Council are expected to hear the Bill for the first time next week which would give the Council of Ministers additional powers to prevent vulnerable people being cut-off.

It comes after a string of complaints about the provider, with as many as 90 residents believed to have been at risk of disconnection and 30 already removed.

Isle of Man Energy has always maintained it only disconnects those as a last resort when a customer refuses to engage on paying their bill – a practice it says is ‘fair and very normal’.

It goes on to say the legislation which government is hoping to put in place singles out Isle of Man Energy and doesn’t include other suppliers, and is therefore ‘anti-competitive’.