OREANDA-NEWS. Southern Electric Power Distribution (SEPD) has unveiled plans to strengthen the electricity networks in central southern England following the worst winter storms in recent times, which severely disrupted power supplies last Christmas.

The proposals are a result of a wide-ranging consultation with customers, and are designed to ensure that they get the best service possible.

Amongst a number of measures, customers told SEPD that they wanted:

A reduction in the duration of power cuts

More overhead power lines to be buried under ground

Improved customer communications

In addition to making the network more resilient, which is already over 99% reliable, SEPD is also improving its customer service operation, again changes based on those demanded by customers. The electricity distribution company is introducing a raft of measures to help those households who need more assistance during a power cut, and improving the way it communicates information about restoring power. Other changes include:

Making available estimated restoration times within 30 mins of a power cut in normal weather conditions and within an hour during a storm

Reducing the number of power cuts on our network by a fifth over the next eight years

Training an additional one hundred customer service call takers

More customer liaison officers in communities during power cuts

Regularly updating customers during power cuts

Stuart Hogarth, Director of Distribution at Scottish and Southern Energy Power Distribution said, "This winter was one of the worst in living memory. We experienced eight major storm events with the rain, wind and flooding particularly bad at Christmas.

"I'm extremely proud of the dedication and professionalism displayed by our engineers, linesmen, tree cutters and call takers this winter, there are a number of areas where we can improve.

"We have asked for, and listened carefully to, the feedback of our customers and have today set out a range of improvements on customer communications, looking after those who need it most during a power cut and improving further the reliability of the network. This is not the end of the process, our customers views never stop being important to us and it is my aim that we should not only meet but exceed our customers expectations."

SEPD also welcomes the conclusions from the Office of Gas and Electricity Markets (OFGEM), which has been investigating the impact of the Christmas storms on households. And in recognition of the inconvenience and disruption caused to customers, following discussions with OFGEM, SEPD is committed to donating £1million to the following charities:

Red Cross

Age UK

MacMillan Cancer Support

National Energy Action.

SEPD is also setting up a £1.3million fund to help community groups and organisations that look after the welfare of vulnerable households. SEPD will administer the fund but an independent panel will decide on its distribution and entitlement.