UK Power Networks Apologises following Fulham Blackout

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SW6 plunged into darkness for two hours on Tuesday evening

UK Power Networks has apologised for the inconvenience caused by the major blackout in Fulham on Tuesday evening.

The company, which distributes electricity to London, has released this statement about the incident:

" UK Power Networks engineers restored power supplies to several thousand customers in the Fulham Road area after a fault on the underground electricity distribution network.

" The fault developed at 9.26pm yesterday (October 1) but engineers worked as quickly and as safely as possible to ensure all customers, in various groups, had supplies again by 11.24pm.

" Our engineers worked through the night investigating what caused the fault and continued to do so today. Supplies were restored yesterday by being routed through alternative circuits.

" We appreciate how difficult it can be to lose power and would like to apologise for the inconvenience caused by this incident."

The company also kept local people informed during the two hours on its Twitter feed UKPowerNetworks.

As the area was plunged into darkness, with streetlights losing power as well as homes and businesses, fire alarms across Fulham were set off and traffic was reduced to a crawl. As this picture taken by @missteama shows, the police helicopter was also flying over head.

By this morning however, Fulham folk were seeing the funny side on the hashtag #fulhamblackout. Olivia Cassano @olliecassano said: " One does not buy £20 Diptyque candles in case of blackouts. Must buy cheaper candles."

And The London Chatter @LDNChatter clearly agreed, tweeting: " Overheard: That the smell of Jo Malone candles in SW6 tonight 'is almost too overpowering, even for me!' #PoshPowerCut"

UK Power Networks distributes more than a quarter of the UK’s electricity through its networks serving London, the South East and the East of England.

Customers pay their bills to supply companies but UK Power Networks delivers the power across the three areas. The industry regulator Ofgem sets an allowed revenue to distribution companies so that they can maintain safe and reliable electricity supplies. If customers are unfortunate enough to be affected by a power cut or have another issue with the electricity supply to their property, they should contact UK Power Networks.

The Emergency Number for London is 0800 028 0247 for landline users and 01243 50 0247 if calling from a mobile. You can also register here to receive text updates if there is a power cut.

 

 

 

October 2, 2013