Energy suppliers fined over connection issues - 08/02/2011
Cheap electricity customers might be surprised to hear that industry regulator Ofgem has levied fines on three power companies for their delay in fixing connection problems.
The watchdog has issued a £500,000 fine to Scottish Hydro Electric Power Distribution, which is owned by Scottish and Southern Energy, as well as a £400,000 penalty for Central Networks, whose parent company is E.ON.
Both energy suppliers were found to have failed to meet the three month deadline for providing connection offers and for not having systems in place to sufficiently monitor their connections service.
Meanwhile, the independent Electricity North West will have to pay £100,000 for not meeting its deadline in a number of cases.
Stuart Cook, senior partner of smarter grids and governance at Ofgem, commented: "Customers such as developers of housing estates or wind farms are reliant on local power network companies to provide a good service on connections.
"We recognise that all three companies have taken steps to improve their connection services, in some cases prior to the commencement of the investigation, but they should have taken this action sooner," he added.
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