Be Winter Ready

We are helping customers to get ready for winter through the launch of the first ever Be Winter Ready Day today (Thursday 2nd November).




The campaign has been developed by ourselves in collaboration with the other electricity and gas network companies. ‘Be Winter Ready’ aims to help the public be better-prepared if they have a power cut or gas emergency this winter.


(Left to right) Wales and West Utilities’ Steve Briggs and Gavin Cunvin with Western Power Distribution’s Kirk Needs and Allyn Gore, supporting Be Winter Ready Day.


The campaign coincides with figures released today revealing that 9.5 million people across Great Britain admit they don’t carry out basic winter preparations as the colder weather rolls in.

The survey found that 59% of people think the reliability of the gas and electricity networks means they don’t have to prepare for winter as much as they used to. Over half (52%) don’t keep a torch in their house in case of a power cut, and over 70% (71%) don’t take steps to get their boiler serviced in advance of winter.

Furthermore, over 70% (72%) don’t know who their local electricity or gas network operators are, with only 21% saying they prepare themselves for winter by finding out who to contact if their gas or electricity goes off.

Ourselves and the energy networks are calling on the public to follow these three steps to Be Winter Ready:

• Know your free emergency numbers - in a power cut dial 105 or, for a gas emergency, dial 0800 111999.
• Prepare your home - keep a torch handy and get your appliances serviced by a Gas Safe registered engineer to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning. Vulnerable households can get extra support by signing up to the Priority Services Register. Contact your gas or electricity network to find out more. Visit www.energynetworks.org to find out who your network operator is.
• Keep your eyes open - keep an eye on the weather forecast and, if you have a power cut or a gas emergency, check on your neighbours.

On the rare occasion power is interrupted or a gas emergency happens, our energy networks have engineers working around the clock to restore supplies safely and as quickly as possible, keeping customers regularly updated on the progress. It has never been easier to contact your gas or electricity network companies any time of the day or night for information and advice.

WPD Network Services Manager Phil Davies said: “Be Winter Ready is a further example of the electricity and gas networks working together to benefit customers. We’re delighted to be a part of the Be Winter Ready campaign and hope that the advice will help customers feel better prepared for whatever the winter weather brings.”

David Smith, Chief Executive of Energy Networks Association, said:

“In recent years the chances of unplanned problems with electricity and gas supply have reduced dramatically. Since 1990, network companies have invested £80bn in improving the reliability of local energy networks in the UK. On average, electricity customers have a power cut just once every two years and gas customers will have their gas supply interrupted just once every 40 years.

“However, as the nights get colder and darker, the chances of severe weather increase. Storms, floods and other extreme conditions can sometimes cause damage to the electricity network and disrupt the energy supply. That’s why we are calling on the public to Be Winter Ready and make sure they are prepared in case they have a power cut or gas emergency.”

For more information about the campaign, visit our Be Winter Ready page