Isle of Man Future Energy Scenarios Report

Ove Arup were appointed to identify transition pathways to allow the Island to reach net zero for its electricity supply by 2050, as well as showing how 75% of all electricity could be sourced from renewables by 2035.

There were three controls on the project:

• The pathways must meet the emissions targets
• The scenarios must provide the most cost effective pathway to achieve these targets, to ensure the principles of the Just Transition were followed
• The study must consider the balance of security of supply, low cost to consumers, and the environment

Ove Arup carried out independent, technical and economic modelling to create three scenarios based on technologies which were appropriate for the Isle of Man. They were assisted by a technical team consisting of representatives from the Climate Change Transformation Team, DEFA, DfE, Manx Utilities, Treasury and DOI, who provided relevant data and information on local factors throughout the process.

To achieve the Isle of Man Government’s commitment to achieve net zero emissions from electricity by 2050 and to guarantee the same level of service currently enjoyed, there are numerous areas that required investigation in terms of environmental benefit, security of supply, costs to consumers, maintenance of existing transmission network, diversity of supply and stable generation.

This required a unique solution, suitable for the Isle of Man, which took into account our current position.

The future energy scenarios have highlighted five possible pathways to deliver net zero emissions from electricity by 2050, which also meets the Government’s 2035 target of securing 75% of generation from renewable sources.