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The Topic: Resilience UTILITY WEEK | 12TH - 18TH FEBRUARY 2016 | 15 S torms are an inevitable challenge that network companies face every winter. This winter, storms Desmond, Eva, Frank, Gertrude, Henry and Imogen have battered the UK in a continuous onslaught of high winds and flooding, with Electricity North West (ENW) and Northern Powergrid taking the brunt of the damage in England. The inevitability of winter storms – and the lessons learnt from previous ones – have spurred energy networks to prepare. In October ENW completed a £132 million upgrade of overhead power lines, electricity substations and underground cables, while Southern Electric Power Distribution (SEPD) undertook a record-breaking day of tree cut- ting in an attempt to minimise power cuts. However, advanced preparation can do only so much. More than 50,000 custom- ers in Lancaster and Cumbria and 70,500 in Northumberland and County Durham los- ing power from just Storm Desmond alone. Despite this, network companies have man- aged to stay out of the spotlight. It was a very different story two years ago when Scottish and Southern Energy Power Distribution and UK Power Networks were fined £3.3 million on top of a hey compensa- tion bill for what was deemed a lack of prep- aration and a slow response to the weather. Around 16,000 homes were le without power for more than 48 hours. Ofgem senior partner for distribution Maxine Frerk said at the time the companies "could have done more to plan for the weather and keep cus- tomers informed… network companies need to learn the lesson of winter [2013]". It appears they have listened. ENW announced earlier this month its quick Networks bounced back from storms A succession of powerful storms has battered the UK this winter, but network companies have performed admirably to ensure those customers affected were back on supply as quickly as possible. SKILLS RESILIENCE response to the chaos caused by Storm Des- mond meant none of its customers were le without power for more than 48 hours – so no compensation payments. It is a similar story with the other distribution network operators (DNOs). Key to their success this year was the degree of co-operation between DNOs, with companies sending crews to each other's aid. DNOs have also called on help from outside the industry. Scottish Hydro Electric Power Distribution, for instance, called on the Royal National Lifeboat Institute to help bridge a river to reconnect the town of Bal- later aer Storm Frank destroyed overhead power cables. DNOs are not going to be innundated with praise for their good work, but they have managed to keep themselves out of the spotlight and keep costs, both for repairs and compensation, to a minimum this year by increasing their resilience. LD Scottish and Southern Energy Power Distribution repair crews at work The utilities sector is facing a skills crisis. Half the workforce in the electricity, gas, and water sectors is 45 or over (the UK average is 41 per cent), while 8 per cent is aged 60-64 (UK aver- age 6 per cent). Energy & Utility Skills estimates that half the current workforce will have left the sector by 2023, and 200,000 new recruits are needed to fill their boots. But things are not that simple. The imminent departure of the most experienced members of staff means their hands-on knowledge will also be lost. Many uitlity companies are now running mentoring and apprenticeship programmes to help address this issue, and building in resilience ahead of the retirement of key members of staff. The next Topic will take an in-depth look at the vexed issue of skills. "We are fortunate to have one of the most reliable and efficient networks in the world, and a long-term approach to investment and asset maintenance has been supported by an effective regulatory regime that has enabled innovation to become part of this strategic approach. "However, weather and other incidents do cause damage, and having the ability to deploy resources to carry out repairs and support customers is part of the vital service network operators provide. Offering customers digital and social media channels to contact them as well as the launch of a single emergency number in the coming months all help ensure those who suffer a power cut have the information and advice they need." • David Smith, chief executive, ENA