Northern Powergrid, the company responsible for the electricity network that powers everyday life for 8 million customers across 3.9 million homes and businesses in the North East, Yorkshire and northern Lincolnshire, is offering young people aged between 11 and 17 years the chance to have a say on how electricity will power their lives in the future.
The network operator, as part of its largest ever engagement programme to build its business plan for 2023 and beyond, is wanting to know what young people in the communities it serves think the role of an electricity network should be.
Siobhan Barton, Northern Powergrid’s Head of Stakeholder Relations, said: “The young people in our lives may be thinking about what they'd like to do when they become adults and leave education. Whatever their aspirations, it's likely that they'll need electricity to help them get there.
“Today’s youth are very technology focused and savvy which brings with it an increased dependency on electricity. Those of us who are parents already know what the reaction is in the household if mobiles, game consoles or the Wi-Fi doesn’t work. However, they are also much more environmentally aware than previous generations and understand the importance of protecting the environment by having cleaner energy and transport.
“Some of the decisions we’ll be making next year as part of building our final business plan will inform the pace that we create a greener, smarter, more digitalised energy network to power their lives in future decades and enable more things like the electric cars they will drive.
“As future home or business owners they will use more low carbon technologies that our network will have to enable. Along with other customers, this will be paid for through network charges on bills from their chosen energy supplier. That’s why we believe they really should have a voice now. We want to listen and learn about their needs and priorities for the future – after all, they are our customers of tomorrow.”
There are two surveys for young people to get involved in:
- 11 to 16 year old survey to be completed with parent/carer
- Young adults survey (Year 12 and 13 college students)
As part of the surveys young people will also be asked their opinion on how electricity safety education should be delivered, how they’d prefer to find out information in a power cut, and their thoughts on climate change and being energy smart.
The first 100 young people to complete each survey will be entered into a prize draw to win a brand new iPad and keyboard case. After the online surveys have been filled in, Northern Powergrid will also contact 25 people per survey age group to take part in a short phone interview. For younger participants this will be carried out with their parent or carer present. Every young person who takes part in a phone interview will receive a £20 Amazon voucher to say thank you.
Through its wide-reaching engagement programme, Northern Powergrid is exploring the best ways it can support the communities it serves and powers in the future. Any customers interested in sharing their views on everything from safety and network reliability to decarbonisation, customer service and how the network company should be a force for good, can visit Northern Powergrid’s dedicated microsite to have their say and contribute to the creation of the electricity network operator’s 2023-2028 business plan.