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industry & government news

She said: “Millions of people rely
on us every day to keep the lights on
and the gas flowing, and we want to
reassure everyone that we have plans
in place to keep the networks working
throughout the coronavirus outbreak.
“We have well-developed procedures
in place to manage the effects of a
pandemic and National Grid Electricity
System Operator has analysed the
anticipated effects on electricity supply
and demand of mass self-isolation of
the UK’s workforce. In fact, demand
across the country is expected to
reduce; largely owing to a decrease in
energy use from industrial consumers, NETWORKS HAVE REASSURED CUSTOMERS THAT BUSINESS WILL CONTINUE AS USUAL
which is likely to be greater than the
increase in domestic demand as people organisations, has plans in place that colleagues are fully briefed on the
stay at home. look at what we need to do in a variety precautions they need to take and
“All our operational sites are secure of different incident situations and introducing additional cleaning across
with a wide range of resilience and scenarios. These plans are tested on a its buildings.
security measures. Our control centres regular basis so that we can continue
have fully operational back-up locations to deliver the service expected from SGN
and our engineers are trained across our customers. We are ensuring these SGN will continue to operate the 24/7
multiple roles. These measures have plans are up-to-date so that we are able National Gas Emergency Service across
been strengthened further with a to continue to provide services to our the south of England and in Scotland
range of additional measures to customers, as well as providing advice and engineers will continue to attend
segregate our critical employees. Visitor and support to our colleagues. properties to make them safe. The
access to our electricity and gas control “We want to assure customers that network announced that, from 24
rooms has been ceased. We have we will attend any gas escape and that March, it would only continue with
comprehensive and well-developed we will make it safe, whether a person safety-critical and emergency work.
procedures in place to manage the in that home has the coronavirus or not. A spokesperson said: “We’re doing all
effects of a pandemic and do not Obviously, safety precautions will be we can to make sure we can continue
anticipate any issues in continuing to taken to ensure our colleagues do not to keep the gas flowing to homes and
reliably supply gas and electricity. catch or spread the virus.” businesses during the coronavirus
“The welfare of our employees outbreak. Our dedicated Pandemic
remains our priority. We have asked Northern Gas Networks Working Group was set up at the start
all our employees who do not need to A spokesperson for Northern Gas of February to lead our response to
be onsite to work from home where Networks (NGN) said: “In line with UK COVID-19, which has the full support of
possible, in line with government government guidance we’re continuing our executive team. We have extensive
guidance. This measure has been to carry out our essential services while business continuity plans in place,
introduced to limit the spread of the observing strict government guidelines which have been implemented now.
virus, protect the health and safety for safe distance working during the This includes ensuring as many of our
of all our people, and ensure those in coronavirus outbreak. support teams as possible are able to
operational roles can continue to do “Our essential services include switch to working from home.”
their jobs.” responding to gas emergencies,
carrying out emergency repairs and Wales & West Utilities
Cadent critical maintenance activities, to A spokesperson said: “The safety of
Cadent’s Chief Executive Officer Steve ensure you continue to receive a safe our customers and colleagues is a top
Fraser said the safety of customers and and reliable gas supply. To ensure we priority for us. We know people across
colleagues is the number one priority can continue to deliver the highest Wales and south west England rely on
for the UK’s largest gas distributor. standards of service, and to protect our services. So we’re doing everything
He said: “During this difficult and our colleagues, customers and our we can to make sure we continue to
challenging time for the UK, we are communities, we are however, meet the needs of the communities we
doing all we can to ensure that all suspending the majority of our planned serve at a challenging time for the UK.
our customers, especially those in work programme until further notice.” “There is no impact on the safe and
vulnerable situations, continue to In response to the pandemic, NGN reliable supply of gas to homes and
receive the services they need.” said it has activated its ‘Command businesses. We are focused on keeping
Cadent said there has been no impact and Control’ structure, which is the gas flowing and our customers
on colleagues or services due to the meeting daily to respond flexibly to and colleagues safe. As you would
coronavirus outbreak, but that the the challenges of coronavirus. The expect, we are also liaising closely with
network would continue to monitor the actions the network has taken include: government and public health bodies
situation closely and take all necessary preparing essential functions such and we are working in line with expert
precautions to protect customers as the control room, dispatch and advice, including guidelines on hygiene
and colleagues. A spokesperson said: emergency response teams to work and social distancing.
“Cadent, like many businesses and from multiple locations; making sure

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16/04/2020 15:42
News.indd 2
News.indd 2 16/04/2020 15:42