A group of overhead linesman and their vehicles are scheduled to leave the Island this evening to assist Scottish Power reinstate power to an estimated 17,000 homes in Scotland following the very severe weather that has hit the region. A call for assistance was received from NEWSAC (North East West South Area Consortium) along with other UK power networks to aid Scottish Power this morning. MEA Chairman, Eddie Lowey MLC said, “It is pleasing to see MEA playing its part in fostering good relations with the adjacent Isles, on behalf of the Isle of Man, with this reciprocal agreement. We have ourselves been assisted in the past during the severe storms of 2005 when many Manx customers were without supply”. The MEA team leave the Island on the IoM Steam Packet this evening to work alongside Scottish Power and will return to the Island when supplies have been restored. ENDS