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Power disruption due to severe weather

21 January 2014

Image of UK Parliament portcullis

The Energy and Climate Change Committee is to hold a one-off evidence session on Power disruption due to severe weather on Tuesday 21 January 2014.

Announcing the session today, Tim Yeo MP, Chair of the Committee, stated:

“In December, hurricane-force winds and torrential rain led to a disruption in power supplies to hundreds of thousands of homes. Many consumers were left without power for days. We will be questioning the distribution companies responsible and asking them to explain why there were delays in restoring power to thousands of customers who were cut off over Christmas.”

Witnesses

Tuesday 21 January 2013, Wilson Room, Portcullis House

Panel 1 at 9.30 am:

  • Frank Mitchell, Chief Executive, ScottishPower Energy Networks
  • Basil Scarsella, Chief Executive, UK Power Networks
  • Mark Mathieson, Managing Director, Networks, Scottish and Southern Energy
  • Steve Johnson, Chief Executive, Electricity North West
  • Robert Symons, Chief Executive, Western Power Distribution
  • David Smith, Chief Executive, Energy Networks Association

Panel 2 at 10.45 am:

  • Hannah Nixon, Senior Partner for Distribution, Ofgem
  • Andrew Wright, interim Chief Executive, Ofgem

Timings are approximate.

Topics to be covered

The session will explore a range of issues, including:

  • The response of Distribution Network Operators (DNOs) to the Christmas storms
  • Contingency planning and the ability of DNOs to respond to disruption
  • Communication to customers
  • Compensation for disruption to power supplies

Further information