The Early Retirement Scheme, which has slimmed the Manx Electricity Authority workforce by fifty, should mean annual savings of 1.5 million pounds.

MEA Chairman, Eddie Teare MHK has described the response by staff as excellent and says it wont put an end to job opportunities.

He says, “I am extremely impressed how staff have embraced the prospect of more change at the Authority whilst continuing to provide a first rate quality of service. It has not been easy for them operating under such uncertain conditions. We believe the Early Retirement Scheme’s success could only have been achieved with careful planning and good two-way open communication with our colleagues. MEA headcount was over 300 in June 2005 when the new board was appointed and following completion of the scheme will show a reduction to 250, a reduction of 17%”.

But he says that it does not stop future job opportunities at the Authority.

"Natural retirement and normal staff turnover will mean that the Authority employs staff to cater for the ever-changing customer demands and to ensure that the business is in good shape to deliver supplies of electricity for the 21st Century. In reality, some 20 years ago the Authority was dealing with half today’s demand for electricity, with 10,000 less customers on the system.”