Your supply

A more reliable network

Although our electricity network is among the most reliable in the country, we want to make it even better.

• In 2006/07, we invested £204.5 million to improve the reliability of our network. By 2010, this figure will have risen to £900 million.
• We are replacing thousands of kilometres of existing high voltage overhead line with a state-of-the-art covered conductor system – resembling a protective overcoat. This protects the line if it comes into contact with tree branches, wind-borne debris or even birds.
• The amount of time customers are without electricity has reduced by one quarter in the last five years even though our electricity network has grown in this time.

Tree Trimming

Many of the overhead lines supplying electricity to rural areas are mounted on wooden poles. These lines can be damaged by adverse weather conditions – especially gales and storms.

High winds can cause branches from trees and other wind-borne debris to hit our lines and cause automatic safety switches to operate. Although these switches are designed to restore supplies within a few seconds, we are aware how irritating these power cuts can be for our customers.

By carrying out a regular programme to trim back tree growth near our lines, we reduce the risk of damage and therefore minimise inconvenience for our customers. It also prevents anyone climbing trees deliberately or accidentally touching the lines.

We employ specialist tree-trimming staff to carry out the work, which means the trees will be trimmed in a way that preserves their appearance and their health.

Before we start work, we obtain permission from every tree owner and agree exactly what we will be doing.