A Parliamentary Reception

Around thirty MPs joined our Chief Executive Robert Symons in calling on people in the Midlands, South West and South Wales to seek support if they are struggling with their energy bills.

At a meeting at the House of Commons on Wednesday (January 24th), they also discussed the importance of building a smart energy system that will help to ensure energy affordability for the future.


Left to Right: James Heappey, MP for Wells with Robert Symons, CEO Western Power Distribution.

We operate an extensive support programme for customers across their region who are unable to afford their energy and/or to keep their home adequately heated. It works with a range of partners including the Centre for Sustainable Energy, the Energy Saving Trust, and Citizens’ Advice across their regions, offering a variety of support services including:

• Income maximisation (e.g. managing debts)
• Tariff advice
• Energy efficiency measures
• Boiler replacements and heating technologies
• Behavioural changes (e.g. how best to operate your heating system)
• Health and wellbeing measures

This year we have helped 15,000 customers to save £3.5million a year — that’s an average saving per customer of £233.

We are also investing in a host of new technologies, systems and skills to create the smart network of the future, including leading the world’s largest electric vehicle use trial.

We also provide a priority service for vulnerable customers when there are power cuts.

Our register supports people who may be particularly vulnerable during a power cut, such as those medically dependent on electricity, those who have a particular communication need or who may just find a power cut particularly difficult such as the elderly or disabled.

To sign up for priority assistance, customers can get in touch with us by calling 0800 917 79 53. The service is free and confidential. During a power cut, they should call 105 or 0800 6783 105.

Robert Symons, Western Power Distribution Chief Executive said:

“We were delighted to meet with so many MPs to discuss our role of keeping the lights on and supporting our customers. Since 2002 we have cut the likelihood of power cuts occurring by nearly 40%. However, we cannot eliminate the chances of power cuts completely, so it is vital that we know who our most vulnerable customers are so we can support them first. We also take our role very seriously in helping to find solutions for those people who are struggling with their energy bill.

“WPD is also rising to the challenge of creating a smart network that works for everyone. We are investing £7.1 billion between 2015 and 2023 to improve network resilience, connect new homes, businesses and generation, and to roll out new innovations. We also have a fully costed £125 million plan to convert the existing network to a smart grid, becoming a ‘Distribution System Operator’, at no extra cost to customers.”


Robert Symons delivering his speech at the Parliamentary Reception.