APPENDIX 18
Memorandum submitted by Northern Electric
plc
The number of customers who lost supply as a
direct result of system damage due to the weather conditions was
120,000. This is 8.3 per cent of the customers connected to our
distribution systems. Forty thousand of the 120,000 were affected
more than once due to system switching.
The percentage restored within the times you
indicate are:
| 3 hours | 3-12 hours
| 12-24 hours | 24-48 hours |
48-72 hours | 72 hours |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| 73.8 | 92.3 | 96.6
| 99.3 | 99.96 | 100
|
The level of payment made by way of compensation was £50
for 24 hours off supply, and £25 for each subsequent 12 hours
off supply. This payment was made on receipt of a claim by a customer.
The nature of any storm damage is always unique to that individual
event. In this instance Northern suffered damage primarily in
the Northumberland area, and not, as Northern Ireland did, across
its whole territory. The extent of the damage in this storm was
particularly challenging as it hit at all voltage levels on the
network with numerous faults being created between a customer
and a bulk supply point. In circumstances of this nature supply
can only be fully resolved over a prolonged period. Indeed, during
the early part of the storm it was too dangerous for staff to
address the faults.
23 March 1999
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