Rushing work to improve the performance of energy networks during storm events may result in sub-optimal solutions for consumers, an industry expert has warned.
Last week the government and Ofgem published their final reports into Storm Arwen which struck the UK last November, cutting power supplies to more than a million customers.
Both reports included a number of recommended actions for networks to improve resilience and their service to customers.
The first of Ofgem’s actions is to be completed by 31 July this year but Duncan McCombie, chair of Western Power Distribution’s Customer Engagement Group, said while he believes the actions seem sensible, he has concerns about the amount of time networks have to implement them.
“My first reaction, to be perfectly honest, was the timescales for doing some of the actions are very tight because they are talking about getting things done by the start of August and I think if you rush to get things done too quickly you miss the better solution,” he told Utility Week.
McCombie said the remedies to improve service need to be done “with” customers rather than “to” them. He said the sector is in “a really good place” in this regard as distribution network operators have been doing “significant and extensive engagement” for the development of their RIIO ED2 business plans, meaning they will have a good idea about what customers want and expect.
However, he added: “I am nervous that without involving the key stakeholders that are really knowledgeable around the sector in the development of those plans as kind of a check before they go to Ofgem, we may miss a trick.
“We don’t want anybody left behind in the digital transformation. We don’t want customers left behind when the power does go off.”
McCombie further explained that he felt some of the timescales are being driven by the RIIO-ED2 process: “I think there is a driver to get this addressed so we can go into the final determinations in December, hence that’s driving the timescales rather than saying: ‘what is the right time to get the right solution and really talk it through?’”
Responding to the concerns, an Ofgem spokesperson said: “The timescales set are challenging but deliverable. They reflect the importance of these improvements to consumers, ensuring the networks are properly prepared ahead of next winter. We are working closely with the industry to ensure they are delivered as planned.”