Utility Week

UTILITY WEEK | 28TH FEBRUARY - 5TH MARCH 2020 | 27 Operations & Assets Going the extra mile for safety As network companies, we are prepared to go the extra mile to help vulnerable customers and promote safety – and the more closely we collaborate, the more eff ective our eff orts will be. View from the top Paul Fidler, Energy Networks Association O ver the past few weeks the country has been battered by two Storms: Ciara and Dennis. Both have brought with them horrendous weather – gale force winds and incredible amounts of rain. We can see the scale of the impact when we see people whose homes and businesses have been devastated by • ood- ing. Some commentators have described these storms as the worst since 2013. For our electricity networks, overall performance during the storms has signi‚ cantly improved since pri- vatisation in 1990, largely thanks to investment. While nearly 1 million customers were a„ ected by a power outage caused by the storm at some point, virtually eve- ryone had their power restored within 24 hours – and for many, much faster than that. As far as engineering challenges go, this was excep- tional. Credit needs to be given to all those involved. First, to the brave engineers, technicians and tree cutters who were out in dreadful weather walking the lines, cutting back trees and making vital repairs to get customers back on as quickly and – critically – as safely as possible. Second, to all the people delivering the best possible customer service – you only had to look at social media to see how appreciated companies' communications were received. This included regular updates on social media, phone calls and providing detailed summaries of events on their web- sites. Innovation in customer service has improved signi‚ cantly over the years and – despite the bad weather – hard work and investment made by the networks is resulting in customer service scores that average nearly nine out of 10. We also need to remember how important this is for customers living in vulnerable situations for whom electric- ity is critical. It is why the importance of Priority Services Registers cannot be underestimated – being able to identify and support vulnerable customers is critical. Third, to the sta„ involved with planning for the storms. Net- work companies invest millions of pounds to build a resilient electric- ity network capable of securing electricity supplies and meeting the challenges of increased demand and adverse weather. They also carry'out year-round tree-trimming programmes to reduce the impact of trees and debris on the overhead line'network. Preparation in earnest begins days before the storms even hit. Teams are mobilised. Warehouses are prepared and ready to provide the materials needed to carry out repairs should the weather strike. Decisions are made about strategy, ensuring readiness and providing the ability for the network companies to respond locally to what is happening in their operating areas. This includes establishing availability and cover in the ‚ eld and ensuring that the • eet, which includes specialist vehicles, is ready to be deployed. Along with increasing the number of operational sta„ on standby, extra cover is also arranged in contact centres. Dispatch and network control teams and many other supporting functions across the network compa- nies are also ready with additional personnel. All the investment, preparation and hard work has resulted in the electricity networks restoring power quickly and safely in the face of exceptionally bad weather. This is in addition to their investment, which has helped to reduce the customer interruptions by 14 per cent and their duration of interruptions by 10 per cent since 2015. Britain's energy network companies have a universal obligation of service to customers across the country. They are considered to be some of the best in the world in terms of their performance for the public – not just in terms of operational performance but in ful‚ lling their social obligations. As we move to net zero, we must build on that track record and work with government, industry stakeholders and the regulator to deliver a regu- latory regime that prioritises investment and innovation, allowing the network companies to invest to continue to deliver the best possible service for the public. Paul Fidler, director of operations, ENA to see how appreciated companies' communications were received. This included regular updates on social media, phone calls and providing detailed summaries of events on their web- sites. Innovation in customer service has improved signi‚ cantly over the years and – despite the bad weather – hard work and investment made by the networks is resulting in customer service scores that average nearly nine out of 10. We also need to remember how important this is for customers living in vulnerable situations for whom electric- ity is critical. It is why the importance of Priority Services Registers cannot be underestimated All the hard work has resulted in the electricity networks restoring power quickly and safely in the face of exceptionally bad weather

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