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Mike Penning, the health and safety minister, has praised network staff for their work to restore electricity supplies during and after the Christmas storms.
The storms, which resulted in a slew of negative publicity for networks, together with a select committee hearing and Ofgem inquiry into the response of the worst hit networks, UK Power Networks and SSE, saw only one minor health and safety incident.
Penning was speaking at a parliamentary reception organised by the Energy Networks Association (ENA) yesterday. He said: “At an extremely challenging time and in dangerous conditions, these men and women worked round the clock to restore power. They deserve to be recognised for their bravery and dedication.”
ENA chief executive David Smith said: “The severe weather over winter saw some of the most substantial damage to the networks in decades and the men and women working to restore supplies faced extremely challenging conditions.
“It is a testament to their dedication and service that supplies were reconnected to 95% of those affected within 24 hours. We often don’t hear about the efforts of these unsung heroes who, when the rest of us are told to stay home, are out getting their communities reconnected.”
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