The 海角视频’s largest electricity distribution business is calling on customers to have their say on a £6billion investment and network improvement plan.
Western Power Distribution (WPD) has launched a public consultation on the proposed five-year business plan which promises to reduce power cuts, help vulnerable customers and support environmental targets.
The Bristol-based company - which delivers electricity to 7.9million homes and businesses across the South West, South Wales and Midlands - is pledging to make record levels of investment while keeping customers’ contributions to energy bills broadly the same throughout the years ahead.
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As part of the plans WPD is aiming to become a net zero carbon emissions company by 2028 - 22 years ahead of the 海角视频 target.
The supplier wants to connect a further 1.5million electric vehicles and 600,000 heat pumps by 2028 as well as remove 50km of overhead lines across its distribution regions to protect areas of outstanding natural beauty.
It also intends to work closely to support local authorities and ensure the electricity network is capable of achieving local Net Zero ambitions as early as 2030.
The company said the planned investment would help more than 100,000 of its customers in fuel poverty make savings of £60million and help the firm to support customers in known areas of high deprivation. It also plans to establish an annual £1million fund to support the most vulnerable in its local community until 2028.
Mark Shaw, RIIO_ED2 business plan manager, said: “We’re a proud member of the Somerset community and want to hear views on how we should invest to ensure we support regional growth and a move to a lower carbon economy.
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“Creating a smart network for everyone is at the heart of our ambitions. We’re also responding to a significantly changing energy landscape and the need to achieve Net Zero carbon emissions by 2050. We’ll be supporting more community energy projects and ensuring capacity is available to meet growing demand for electricity.
“Our Business Plan has been designed in collaboration with over 9,500 regional stakeholders across a two-year period.
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“We’re now keen to listen to more customers’ views and ideas on how we can best invest in an innovative energy system while continuing to make a real difference to the communities we serve.”
Customers are being encouraged to give their feedback on the proposals online by April 25. After further development over the summer, the final plan will be submitted to the industry regulator Ofgem in December 2021.
Last month National Grid announced a deal to buy WPD from US energy giant PPL Corporation for £7.8billion, as part of the group’s plans to pivot its focus towards electricity.