Generators shipped in as blackout misery continues
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Around 90 per cent of the 94,000 EDF customers
affected by a power cut are now getting at least some supply.
A statement released this afternoon from the
energy giaint said around 44,500 customers have had full power
restored, through switching supplies to other circuits on the
network and from back-up generation brought in from across the
country.
A further 39,500 are getting supplies on a
three-hour rota basis.
That still leaves 10,200 customers remain
without power supplies - more than 48 hours after the power was
lost on Monday.
Now the British Red Cross has been brought in to deal with the
most vulnerable customers.
Generators were brought in from Scotland, Bristol and Great
Yarmouth as part of the company's operation to respond to serious
damage to high voltage electricity cables in the Dartford area.
They are now providing back-up power at 38 sites in the area,
supplying 11,200 customers, with more due to be connected today.
This includes a number of care homes across the Dartford area.
Engineers worked though the night to deploy the generators
across the affected area, concentrating on sites with vulnerable
customers and areas where generators could provide power to the
highest numbers of customers possible.
It comes after a fire caused power outages to more than 90,000
homes across Dartford and parts of south east London following the
damage on Monday lunchtime.
Police are now investigating the incident, believed to have been
caused by unauthorised people interfering with cables.
The company is taking a number of measures to reduce the
inconvenience - including supplying power on a rota basis - but
it's thought around 45,000 customers are still without continuous
supplies today.
A spokesman said: "EDF Energy Networks would like to apologise
to all customers affected by this major incident and we thank
everyone for their patience while we work to return supplies.
"We would like to ask all customers being supplied by generators
or on a temporary basis to use electricity for essential purposes
only. In this way we can ensure the situation does not become
overloaded and as many people as possible have power."
The company has also enlisted the support of The British
Red Cross, which has visited a number of vulnerable customers to
offer advice and support.
EDF Energy has brought in extra call centre staff to provide
information and advice to customers.
For information on rota connections and on the latest
estimates for restoration of supplies, please contact EDF's
emergency contact centre on 0800 028 0247 or if you have internet
access, www.edfenergy.com
This link sets out when different areas will be provided
with temporary supplies through the rota connections plan.
Meanwhile Kent Police are now focusing their
efforts on finding witnesses.
They're asking people to report anyone who has
suffered burns, but hasn't sought medical advice.
Detective Chief Inspector Andrea Bishop told
KentOnline: "If there is anybody who has seen anyone suspicious at
the riverside industrial estate then please contact the police as
soon as possible.
"We have checked with hospitals but if anyone
is aware of anybody with burns and they think that's suspicious and
they've not sought medical help, please let us know."
Det Chief Insp Bishop said investigators had
visited the scene and were working closely with Kent Fire and
Rescue Service.
When asked whether the cause was definitely
vandalsim, Det Chief Insp Bishop said: "We are keeping an open
mind. It may be that there were efforts to steal metal from this
location and it could well be vandalism, but at the moment it is
difficult to say and those enquiries are ongoing."
Wednesday, July 22 2009
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