§ David DavisTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what powers exist to penalise power companies whose service suffers from persistent power cut problems. [151196]
§ Mr. TimmsBoth my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry and the Gas and Electricity Markets Authority have powers to penalise power companies whose service suffers from persistent power interruptions.
The DTI's Engineering Inspectorate has powers under Regulation 34 of The Electricity Safety, Quality and Continuity Regulations 2002, to impose actions on a company to improve its service. The Inspectorate may take action if there is evidence to suggest that repeated interruptions to supply are occurring and that no remedial measures have been taken.
The Gas and Electricity Markets Authority has powers under the Electricity Act 1989 to investigate whether a licence holder has breached the conditions of its licence, and if so, whether remedial action (such as a financial penalty) is appropriate. The Authority may impose a penalty upon a licence holder when it is satisfied that a licence holder is contravening or has contravened any relevant condition or requirement. No penalty imposed may exceed 10 per cent. of the turnover of the licence holder.
§ David DavisTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many power cuts there were in each of the last five years in(a) Howden, (b) Anlaby, 590W (c) Willerby, (d) North Cave, (e) South Cave, (f) Kirk Ella, (g) Cottingham, (h) Eastrington, (i) Brough, (j) North Ferriby, (k) Swanland and (l) Holme Upon Spalding Moor. [151256]
§ Mr. TimmsIt has not been possible for Yorkshire Electricity Distribution Limited (YEDL) to collate all the information sought within a short timescale.
I will respond to the right hon. Member in writing when I have received a full report from YEDL.
§ David DavisTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what the power consumption of the United Kingdom was in each of the last 25 years. [151261]
§ Mr. TimmsAvailable data are shown in the following table.
TWh Total electricity consumption 1978 231.42 1979 242.00 1980 231.11 1981 227.21 1982 222.82 1983 226.09 1984 230.96 1985 241.85 19861 249.34 19861 259.82 1987 268.38 1988 274.50 1989 279.40 1990 284.42 1991 290.84 1992 291.45 1993 295.75 1994 292.83 1995 303.92 1996 319.78 1997 321.07 1998 325.35 1999 332.05 2000 340.30 2001 342.78 2002 343.83 1 Prior to 1986 the consumption figures are based on electricity supplied from major power producers, transport undertakings and industrial hydro and nuclear stations only. From 1986 the consumption figures are based on electricity supplied from all generating companies.
§ David DavisTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how much compensation for loss of power was paid by power companies to customers in each of the last five years, broken down by individual power company. [151262]
§ Mr. TimmsPayments made under Guaranteed Standards of Performance following loss of power were as follows.
591W
1998–99 1999–2000 2000–01 2001–02 2002–03 2002–03 storms compensation Aquila 0 0 400 0 0 542,650 EME 150 30 100 0 350 44,820 EPN 390 85 1,150 0 0 1,155,800 Hydro 0 120 0 0 0 LPN 150 66,920 650 100 0 NEDL 385,650 0 16,050 750 250 SP 0 0 6,425 3,150 7,900 SPN 0 12,660 100 0 0 3,725 Southern 0 60 100 0 0 2,000 SP Manweb 0 0 8,150 4,300 12,625 157,575 UU 628,520 240 6,250 2,800 100 WPD S. Wales 0 30 400 0 0 11,300 WPD S. West 0 0 0 0 0 YEDL 180 0 4,075 2,450 0 1 WPD S. Wales payment relates to total paid by WPD S Wales and WPD S. West. From April 2000 payment in respect of first payment due increased from £30 to £50 and period triggering payment reduced from 24 to 18 hours.
§ David DavisTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps she is taking to ensure that power companies give adequate compensation to customers who suffer from power cuts. [151263]
§ Mr. TimmsThis is a matter for the Office of Gas and Electricity Markets (Ofgem). As part of its distribution price control review, which is presently under way, Ofgem is reviewing the standards of performance under which compensation payments are made.
As the next price control is not implemented until April 2005, with two winter periods before then, Ofgem has recently introduced interim arrangements for compensation in severe weather conditions. The aim of these arrangements is to ensure that the basis for compensation is clear and that customers who have valid claims are paid out quickly after the event. Under the new arrangements, for all but the most extreme events, customers who make a valid claim for compensation will be entitled to £25 if they are off supply for more than 48 hours plus £25 for each additional 12 hour period up to a maximum payment of £200.
Under normal weather conditions, the Guaranteed Standards of Performance continue to apply and a payment of £50 is triggered at 18 hours with £25 for each additional 12 hour period.