POWER CUT: MP rebukes Ofgem for empty threat against EDF Energy Networks (From News Shopper)

POWER CUT: MP rebukes Ofgem for empty threat against EDF Energy Networks

6:50am Monday 15th November 2010 in News

IN the wake of the decision by Ofgem not to punish EDF Energy Networks for the four-day power cut last summer, Bexleyheath and Crayford MP David Evennett has met with the regulator.

At the meeting Mr Evennett criticised Ofgem for taking so long to publish its report on the incident and for not punishing EDF for failing to keep its cable bridge site in Dartford, secure.

He said Ofgem should not have proposed in the summer fining EDF £2m if it was not going to follow it through.

The MP spoke of his concern at EDF’s poor response to the incident in July last year which left more than 94,000 people without electricity for up to four days and its lack of a contingency plan.

After the meeting Mr Evennett said while he welcomed the extra payments offered by EDF to those affected, “EDF’s failures have not been properly highlighted , nor has it been sufficiently rebuked.”

He added: “I am disappointed Ofgem did not stand up to EDF.”