ALDERNEY has brought in a contingency plan to make sure it doesn’t run out of heating oil.

From tomorrow it is shipping in 23,000 litres at a time from Guernsey to make sure islanders’ central heating can stay switched on.

‘The tank we are sending to Guernsey is our own. In the past it has been used to transport avgas for our power station but this week it will bring heating oil to the islan d,’ said Alderney Electricity chairman Dick Haines.

Despite the necessity, importing oil from Guernsey could force bills back up – just a fortnight after an 8.1% reduction was announced.

‘This measure will cost us 5% more than our normal delivery cost and, if necessary, will be included in the fuel cost component of people’s bills,’ he said.

The problem has been caused by three failed deliveries from Fuel Supplies Channel Islands.

Alderney Electricity has warned customers not to request oil deliveries unless the need is desperate and urged all islanders to limit their use of electricity.

‘A delivery is planned for 17 February and if that takes place there won’t be a problem,’ said Mr Haines