Henham

Introduction
This page records the power cuts to Henham and advises residents on their rights to compensation and actions they must take to improve the reliability of the network. If in doubt call our Village “Power Tsar” Erik Bonino 0777 912 9827.

Background
Residents may buy their electricity from many suppliers; however, the physical distribution network is managed by only a handful of companies with regional monopolies. These network companies are obliged (under their charter) to provide defined levels of service. Residents and business can apply for compensation when these service levels are not maintained. I.e. for interruptions to supply “outages”.

Grounds for compensation

Outage duration	Compensation
a. Any outage lasting longer than 18hours	£50 residents/ £100 business
b. 4 outages April - April each lasting longer than 3hr	£50 residents/ £50 business

However, in the latter case (b) residents must make their claim by July 1, otherwise they lose their right to compensation. Many exceptions exist ranging from extreme weather conditions to safety of repair personnel. In short, the system is designed to make claims difficult….but not impossible.

Claim letters should list dates (the charter does not specify inclusion of times, however it is wise to do so) on receipt of a claim the network company must investigate. The network companies have in their databases outage data by postcode.

Henham’s Network Company is EDF Energy Networks:

Write to
EDF Energy Networks, Customer Relations, Fore Hamlet, Ipswich IP3 8AA
Tel: 0845 767 3673

Power Cuts Times and Dates (last update July 2007)

The table below lists all recorded power cuts to the Village.
Where known we also indicate the impacted post codes.

Outage Return Duration (approx) Compensation Grounds Post codes

28/5/07 @ 11:57 Same day 22:05 10 hrs >3hr .. As part of 4 outages/yr CM22 6BD

13/ 6/07 @21:51 14/6/07 @13:18 15 hrs >3hr .. As part of 4 outages/yr

19/6/07 @21:30 Next day 20/6/07 @14:30 18 hrs >18hr

Actions for Residents

In the event of Power Cuts notify EDF networks immediately by calling 0800 783 8838.

If you are dependant on medical equipment, chronically sick, disabled, or have any special circumstances, register your name on the priority services register held by EDF call 08701 963 090 or fill in a form held at the village shop.

Keep a record of all power cuts dates and times. If not sure when power returned, log when you first noticed it back on.

If you see damaged equipment report it to EDF 0800 783 8838.
Report trees touching or near to overhead power cables (usually 4 wires between telegraph poles) call 0800 783 8838.(Note the majority of Henham power cuts are caused by tree damage to power lines).

For complaints or claims for compensation call EDF on 08701 963090

If in doubt call Energywatch with questions, complaints or issues related to electricity and gas supply 08459 06 07 08 or log on to www.energywatch.org.uk

Appendix 1: Compensation Rules – Power Cuts

The main rules¹ are that you will generally qualify for compensation if your electricity goes off for:

	More than 18 hours, or
	More than 4 times in one year, for at least 3 hours each time.

The amount you might get for an unexpected power cut would be £50 for the first 18 hours, with £25 for each further 12 hours without power. There are exemptions to this and your distributor (DNO) shall advise if these apply.

To claim compensation, you should write to your electricity distribution company within 3 months of getting your power back on.

As well as this, energy companies can always consider individual cases - so if you feel you have suffered hardship as a result of the power cut, however long you were without electricity - you should contact your company.

If you are told a payment will not be made to you, but you still feel you are entitled to compensation, you can ask energywatch to investigate for you and may choose to seek a formal Determination by the Regulator, Ofgem. Ofgem will then decide whether or not you are entitled to a payment under the Guaranteed Standards. Contact us if you would like more information.

Your electricity supply company and your distributor do not guarantee a supply 100% of the time. They will not normally pay for damage to equipment, loss of frozen food etc. You will need to check your household insurance policy to see if you can make a claim.

The rules are contained in The Electricity (Standards of Performance) Regulations 2005 (Note: this link goes to the Office of Public Sector Information website, www.opsi.gov.uk).