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| Welcome to your April Stakeholder Update. | |  | Dear stakeholders,
Following the clocks springing forward at the end of March, it's nice to see a return to lighter evenings and hopefully soon some nicer weather.
Last week we held our Distribution System Operation Conference: Voice of the North West. The event saw 78 stakeholders in person and 23 online come together to collaborate and co-create strategies that will drive innovation and sustainability in our region's energy landscape. We were joined by guest speakers from Lancashire County Council, Cumberland Council, Greater Manchester Combined Authority, Electron, Piclo, British Hydropower, Northern Gas Networks, Carbon Co-op and the North West Net Zero Hub.
Also in April our Asset Management Director Paul Killilea attended an industry roundtable on the future of electric vehicle (EV) charging. This significant meeting took place at No. 10 Downing Street and was chaired by Transport Secretary, Mark Harper. Attendees included Britain's other Distribution Network Operators as well as a number of transport, motorway service and EV charger providers.
This month we also share details of some of the events we are supporting, sponsoring and involved with over the coming months. Including Utility Week Live in Birmingham, UKREiif in Leeds and the Northern Sustainability summit in Manchester. We would be delighted to see you there!
We also are proud to share details of our latest BS ISO accreditation, our tree planting wildlife hub in Carlisle and some important safety reminders following two incidents this month.
You'll find more information on these and other stories below.
In this month's newsletter...
Best wishes
The Stakeholder Engagement Team | | | | Electricity North West upcoming events update | |  | Electricity North West is proud to be involved in a number of upcoming events that you, our stakeholders, can get involved with...
1. Utility Week Live – 21 – 22 May, NEC Birmingham
Electricity North West has three speakers involved in the programme; Samantha Loukes, Head of Customer Inclusion, will be discussing how we can better understand our consumers in order to provide tailored support, Geraldine Paterson, Innovation Manager, will be discussing flexibility products and BiTraDER, and Rachael Parr, People and Corporate Services Director, will be discussing career pathways in the utilities sector.
Register HERE
2. UKREiif – 21 – 23 May, Royal Armouries Leeds & Leeds Dock - The UK’s Real Estate Investment and Infrastructure Forum
A national annual 3-day event bringing together public sector, government and private investment with 7000 delegates registered so far. Electricity North West will be in attendance with a stand presence, contributing to panel sessions and available for networking throughout the day.
Register HERE
3. Northern Sustainability Summit – 8 July, Manchester Central
The Northern Sustainability Summit, headline sponsored by Electricity North West, brings together individuals from all sectors, from sustainability leaders to those embarking on the early stages of their sustainability journey. This year’s focus is on making sustainability work for businesses. Join us for sessions covering topics such as attracting eco-conscious consumers, accessing finance, reporting and offsetting, the role of infrastructure, and the green industrial revolution.
Register HERE | | | | Electricity North West awarded the BS ISO 22458 Kitemark accreditation for inclusive service | |  | We are delighted to have been awarded the BS ISO 22458 Kitemark accreditation for inclusive service. The ISO is an international standard that aims to increase positive outcomes for vulnerable consumers and reduce the risk that they will experience harm.
We are proud to be one of the first distribution network operators to have achieved the standard in year one of RIIO-ED2 (Ofgem's electricity distribution price control period, 2023 - 2028). To succeed, we had to evidence our services are accessible to all, right across the business. The audit was led by our Customer Inclusion Innovation Manager, Jill Hendry, and involved interviews with 60 colleagues from all directorates.
We received excellent feedback from the auditors, who commended our passion and commitment, adding that they “could see and feel a culture of care and support right across the business”. They also said that we are leading the way, with some of the best practise in supporting vulnerable customers they’d seen. We also received praise for having “the right people in the right jobs”. | | |  | | Thousands of trees planted to create wildlife hub in Carlisle | | A new forest has been planted in Carlisle to enhance biodiversity and wildlife in the area.
Electricity North West has planted more than 11,000 trees on our land at Sandsfield Road, Carlisle, as part of our commitment to plant 10,000 trees per year throughout the North West until 2028.
The project was delivered in partnership with Raise: Cumbria Community Forest, who provided funding for the project through Trees for Climate, part of the government-led Nature for Climate Fund.
Work has now been completed and residents will start to benefit from richer and more diverse wildlife, cleaner air, reduced flood risk, stronger climate resilience and visual improvements.
Read more HERE. | | |  | | Man dices with death after being found in electricity substation with ladders
A stark warning has been issued by Electricity North West after a man was found in a high voltage electricity substation with a metal ladder. The incident happened last month in Stockport as engineers were called to the substation on Banks Lane after reports of a cat being on the roof. Upon arrival, engineers found a local resident in one of its high-voltage electricity substations with a set of ladders, trying to access the roof. The resident, who was trespassing and risking his life, was asked to leave immediately and reminded of the dangers of being close to powerful electrical assets. The cat left of its own accord.
Lorry driver ’lucky to be alive’ after collision with 33,000-volt power lines
An urgent safety message has been issued by Electricity North West following a serious incident which took place in Lancashire. Earlier this month, Electricity North West engineers were called to a site in Skelmersdale after a tipper lorry collided with our overhead lines. As well as impacting the power network, the current from the 33,000-volt lines travelled through the vehicle bursting three tyres. Fortunately, no injuries were sustained, and engineers attended quickly to make the network safe.
look out, look up and stay away from the electricity network.
| | | | |  | Bee Net Zero Commitment
Bee Net Zero is working to create a movement of businesses in Greater Manchester that are committed to reducing their carbon emissions and improving their resilience. By asking businesses of all sizes and sectors to sign the Bee Net Zero Commitment the partnership is hoping to create a network of like-minded businesses and support the region’s net zero ambitions.
The Bee Net Zero partnership is asking businesses to be the first to sign the Bee Net Zero commitment, before the official launch in May, to show your dedication to sustainability, driving change and becoming a leader in your sector.
In return, you’ll have access to tailored support from Bee Net Zero partners, be the first to hear about initiatives and events from the partnership and give you the tools to promote your environmental commitment to customers, talent and other businesses.
To sign up, complete this form.
Bike Month Challenge
In May, Transport for Greater Manchester and Bee Net Zero are asking Greater Manchester businesses to encourage employees to join the #BikeMonthChallenge.
By downloading the Love to Ride app and rating how safe and comfortable they felt on their commute, employees can provide vital data to help improve cycling infrastructure in their area.
The Bike Month Challenge provides a simple, effective and fun way for businesses to meet their health, wellness and sustainability goals. In addition, with prizes up for grabs, employees will enjoy some friendly competition while creating stronger bonds with their co-workers.
Read more and find out how to get involved HERE. | | |
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