AT 7.24 on Monday night the island got a brutal reminder of just why continuing investment in the electricity grid is so essential.

As fire alarms rang out and buildings were plunged into darkness islanders were no longer thinking about the series of price hikes that Guernsey Electricity has announced in the last few years.

They were thinking about what would happen to their lasagne, would they miss Coronation Street and when/if their game of football/dance lesson would ever take place.

For the first time in almost a decade it was not just an isolated part of the island which suffered, and, for some, it was not just for 15 minutes that the supply failed.

Instead, this was a full-scale reminder for many of just how reliant the island is on its main energy supply. Without it, nothing works.

Yes, many workplaces have a UPS system to take over should the power fail but much of the rest of the island is reliant on candlepower. It may add a touch of romance to a dinner for two but, at work or at home, it leaves a lot to be desired.

Ironically, the huge sums that Guernsey Electricity needs to put aside to maintain an effective back-up to the French link may seem less excessive now that the island has had a taste of the alternative.

£30m. buys a generator which can rapidly get up to speed and the island going again.

But, just as importantly, the company is also looking at strengthening the connection to France with another cable link, preferably to a different part of France.

Given that around 80% of the island’s electricity already comes from France that link has to be as secure as possible.

Failure to secure the supply – and the Office of Utility Regulation has a responsibility here to allow GE to raise sufficient funds – could lead to a catastrophic loss of reputation.

On average just 10 minutes supply was lost in the last full year. Guernsey has come to expect high standards in its supply. Anything less would be a massive step backwards.