Background

EDF Energy is one of the UK’s largest power companies and provides three services to its customers: energy generation, energy distribution and energy supply. The area of distribution is run by EDF Energy Networks which owns, operates and manages the three licensed distribution networks that deliver power to homes and businesses in London, the South East and East of England. We take electricity from the National Grid and transform it down to voltages which are suitable for commercial and domestic use.

EDF Energy Networks is the largest electricity distribution network owner in the UK covering an area of approximately 30,000 km², extending from The Wash in the East to Littlehampton on the Sussex coast. Approximately 8m connected customers depend on us for their power.

Distribution Network Operators (DNOs) are natural monopolies therefore the industry regulator, Ofgem, protects customers’ interests by regulating the companies through five year price control periods, which include curbs on expenditure as well incentives to be efficient and technically innovative. The Distribution Price Control Review (DPCR) process, which will determine the amount of money we can invest in our networks between 2010 and 2015 is nearly nearing completion (end 2009).

As part of this review, Ofgem has asked all DNOs to consult with their major customers. This consultation deals solely with the distribution side of our business managed by EDF Energy Networks. Over the next 15 years, the electricity industry will face many challenges in the development, operation and maintenance of our electricity distribution networks. EDF Energy Networks is committed to meeting these challenges. We expect to make significant investments in our network working closely with you, our customers.

This consultation web site outlines the main issues our network faces, which have been informed by ongoing engagement with our key stakeholders to understand ir concerns about the future. Your involvement in the consultation process was key, as we wanted to further understand what our customers thought we should be investing in. We welcomed the opportunity to engage with you and the feedback you provided helped us shape our approach to running your distribution network in the future. Thank you for joining the debate.

Consultation-related documents for download

Response document (1.5MB, opens in a new window). This response document includes an overview of the consultation process to date and summarises how EDF Energy Networks will adjust its plans in response to Summer 2008's consultation.

Summary report (360KB, opens in a new window). Summary report of the consultation, prepared by Dialogue by Design, the consultation facilitators. It provides an overview of three stakeholder workshops and summarising the findings of the online consultation.

Consultation Document 'Planning for the future of our Networks' - for printing (5.3MB, opens in a new window). This is the complete consultation document in print quality.

Consultation Document 'Planning for the future of our Networks' - for viewing on screen (3.2MB, opens in a new window). This is the complete consultation document, in smaller size, for viewing on the screen.

The consultation questions can be found on pages 52 and 53 of the consultation document.

Glossary (300KB, opens in a new window). This document is provided as a supplement to the consultation document.