ENA today responded to news from Ofgem that the compensation cap for households and businesses that lose power in severe weather has increased from £700 to £2,000. The move follows their review into the energy network's response to Storm Arwen.
Lawrence Slade, Chief Executive, Energy Networks Association, which represents the UK’s energy network operators, said:
“ Storm Arwen caused catastrophic damage and disruption to customers, which network operators immediately recognised by voluntarily lifting the cap on compensation following the storm. Today’s formal recognition that compensation should be higher reflects the disruption and inconvenience customers experience.
"Network operators continue to work hard with the regulator and government to make processes like claiming compensation more straight forward and fully implementing recommendations to enhance our customer services during extreme weather events. Network operators have also identified areas which will need increased investment to provide better energy security and service for customers in the long term. This is particularly important as severe weather events unfortunately become more frequent.
"We continue to apply lessons from Storm Arwen to ensure the UK’s energy networks are ready to respond to severe weather events and support customers in the most effective way possible. ”
Notes to editor
- The increased investment will go towards measures such as tree cutting, flood prevention and other energy security measures designed to improve the resilience of Britain’s 800,000km of overhead and underground power lines in the face of more severe weather events in future
About Energy Networks Association
Energy Networks Association (ENA) is the industry body representing the electricity wires, gas pipes and energy system in the UK and Ireland.
ENA helps its members meet the challenge of delivering electricity and gas to communities across the UK and Ireland safely, sustainably and reliably.
Its members include every major electricity and gas network operator in the UK and Ireland, independent operators, National Grid ESO which operates the electricity system in Great Britain and National Gas which operates the gas system in Great Britain. Its affiliate membership also includes companies with an interest in energy, including Heathrow Airport and Network Rail.
What are energy network operators?
Energy network operators manage and maintain the wires, pipes and other infrastructure which delivers electricity and gas to your home, business and community. They are private companies which are regulated by Ofgem and employ around 40,000 people in Great Britain.