Northern Powergrid, the company that powers everyday life for 8 million people, is ready to support Government plans to fast-track building projects such as hospitals, schools, housing and road and rail infrastructure to help Britain’s economic recovery following the COVID-19 pandemic.
The electricity distributor, which owns and operates the electricity network that delivers power to 3.9 million homes and businesses across the North East, Yorkshire and northern Lincolnshire, is poised to play its part in delivering new connections that will power any potential major infrastructure construction across the communities it serves. The company has also taken steps to support a green recovery through its own long-term eco-investment strategy.
Patrick Erwin, Northern Powergrid’s Policy and Markets Director, said: “Our teams have been actively supporting the national response to COVID-19 keeping the powergrid powering peoples’ lives and enabling enhanced connections to critical services in our region including the Nightingale field hospitals.
“We‘re ready to fulfil our central role in society as an economic enabler. Through our network, we can help deliver new connections for potential fast-track projects and power infrastructure investment that supports the COVID-19 economic recovery and help bring new jobs to the region.”
Patrick added: “We recently published our ‘Framework for Decarbonisation’ which sets out our new eco-focused funding strategy. This will support our own multi-million pound investment plans for our customers whilst delivering long term environmental benefits and supporting economic growth now and in the future.”
The network operator’s safe working practices and robust operating protocols have meant that Northern Powergrid has remained there for its customers 24/7, 365 days a year powering businesses, homes, hospitals and supermarkets during the peak of the pandemic and beyond into the next stages. As lockdown gradually eases, the company has reviewed its protocols so it can also deliver its next key role; supporting economic recovery in the weeks and months ahead.
It’s industry leading approach, means the company can assess work such as major projects, investments, new connections and other non-critical business activities, which can now go ahead and help get the region back up and running whilst still ensuring its people, customers and the communities it serves remain safe.
Anyone needing support during a power cut can contact the network operator 24/7 on social media (Facebook or Twitter @NorthPowergrid) or by calling 105. Its website also provides information and advice to support customers if they have or need to report a power cut.
Any customers who may need additional advice or support due to their medical circumstances, or are currently ‘shielding’ in line with government and public health advice, may wish to consider joining the company’s free Priority Services Register by visiting northernpowergrid.com/cares or calling 0800 169 2296.
To find out more about how Northern Powergrid and its people are continuing to power the region during the pandemic visit northernpowergrid.com/coronavirus or follow the network operator on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and Instagram.
