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Bosses accused of 'complacency' over Christmas power cuts Bosses accused of 'complacency' over Christmas power cuts
(35 minutes later)
Bosses of UK energy distribution firms have been accused of "complacency" as they defended their response to storms that led to power cuts over Christmas.Bosses of UK energy distribution firms have been accused of "complacency" as they defended their response to storms that led to power cuts over Christmas.
About 750,000 properties were affected, and many left without power for days. About 150,000 properties were cut off, with many left without power for days.
UK Power Networks' Basil Scarsella said "tried and tested" plans struggled to cope in worse-than-forecast weather.UK Power Networks' Basil Scarsella said "tried and tested" plans struggled to cope in worse-than-forecast weather.
But Commons Energy Select Committee chairman Tim Yeo said there seemed to be a lack of any "expression of real concern" by firms for people affected. But Commons Energy Select Committee chairman Tim Yeo said there seemed to be a lack of any "expression of real concern" by firms for those affected.
After the first 45 minutes of the hearing, Mr Yeo told the bosses that the "tone of this conversation and its contents has been utter complacency".After the first 45 minutes of the hearing, Mr Yeo told the bosses that the "tone of this conversation and its contents has been utter complacency".
Mr Yeo said it was "absolutely typical of a monopoly, particularly a monopoly whose charges are not very visible to the customers who have to pay them". He criticised trade body the Energy Networks Association for failing to be able to confirm whether it stood by its earlier report suggesting that 75,000 customers were left without power for more than 24 hours.
He criticised the trade body the Energy Networks Association for failing to be able to confirm whether he stood by its earlier report suggesting that 75,000 customers were left without power for more than 24 hours.
The ENA could not provide the "most basic information on a totally predictable question", he said.The ENA could not provide the "most basic information on a totally predictable question", he said.
Bosses from Scottish Power, Scottish and Southern Energy, Electricity North West, and Western Power Distribution - the companies behind the networks that carry electricity - also appeared at the hearing. Mr Yeo concluded the session by saying there was "no sense of urgency" in plans to step the capacity to respond to severe weather despite "clear warnings that extreme events are likely to take place".
He said: "I've heard nothing at all this morning which reassures me that you are taking this problem seriously enough...
"I have to conclude that you are exploiting your privileged monopoly position and you have displayed a neglect of your customers which I personally find absolutely astonishing."
'No weak points''No weak points'
The Commons Energy Select Committee questioned how the companies reacted and how they communicated to customers. Strong winds brought down power lines just ahead of Christmas. The south east of England, particularly parts of Kent, Surrey and Sussex, was hit worst by the power failures.
Mr Scarsella, chief executive of UK Power Networks - which maintains cables across the South and South East of England - told the MPs "tried and tested" emergency plans were in place but conditions turned out to be more severe than forecast. The committee examined how the companies reacted to the weather and how they communicated with their customers.
Bosses from Scottish Power, Scottish and Southern Energy, Electricity North West, and Western Power Distribution - the companies behind the networks that carry electricity - also gave evidence.
Mr Scarsella, chief executive of UK Power Networks - which maintains cables across the South and South East of England - told the MPs the storm turned out to be more severe than forecast.
"We have a methodology that estimates the damage expected on the network based on the wind speeds. But the wind speed and the weather forecast escalated significantly.""We have a methodology that estimates the damage expected on the network based on the wind speeds. But the wind speed and the weather forecast escalated significantly."
He said: "The damage was not caused by weak points in the network."He said: "The damage was not caused by weak points in the network."
Mr Scarsella said another issue was "that this was a national storm and it lasted over two or three days. There is a well-tested mutual aid system which enables any of us to call on our colleagues to send additional resources.Mr Scarsella said another issue was "that this was a national storm and it lasted over two or three days. There is a well-tested mutual aid system which enables any of us to call on our colleagues to send additional resources.
"But because of the severity of the storm and the national nature of the storm we were not able to provide additional resources to other networks or indeed receive additional resources.""But because of the severity of the storm and the national nature of the storm we were not able to provide additional resources to other networks or indeed receive additional resources."
The committee heard of repairs in some flooded areas taking place on boats and how engineers were unable to begin their work because hundreds of trees needed to be cut through.The committee heard of repairs in some flooded areas taking place on boats and how engineers were unable to begin their work because hundreds of trees needed to be cut through.
Mark Mathieson, managing director of Scottish and Southern Energy's electricity networks, praised the efforts of staff who turned out to reconnect properties.Mark Mathieson, managing director of Scottish and Southern Energy's electricity networks, praised the efforts of staff who turned out to reconnect properties.
He added he felt affected customers were understanding of the problems caused by a "unique" weather situation.He added he felt affected customers were understanding of the problems caused by a "unique" weather situation.
But he said the industry has to "learn lessons".But he said the industry has to "learn lessons".
"We as an industry clean these events up much quicker than we used to. But we also recognise the impact that has on customers," he said."We as an industry clean these events up much quicker than we used to. But we also recognise the impact that has on customers," he said.
"We are sorry and I did go out to communicate with customers that we were sorry that they were off.""We are sorry and I did go out to communicate with customers that we were sorry that they were off."
The MPs also quizzed the energy chiefs on the compensation paid to customers.The MPs also quizzed the energy chiefs on the compensation paid to customers.
Some have said they will pay out higher than usual compensation to people who were without power for long periods and on Christmas Day.Some have said they will pay out higher than usual compensation to people who were without power for long periods and on Christmas Day.
The committee was told that planning for the 999-style emergency number which customers could call to report power outages was "in its early stages".