Have your say on Burnley's electricity network

Alongside research and focus groups, the network provider, which is responsible for getting electricity to homes and businesses across the region, has launched an online community, PluggingIn.co.uk, for customers to sign up to and take part in discussions.

In these uncertain times, the new online community is another way for people to connect across the region and take some time to reflect while things change around them.

In particular, the network operator is keen for the people of Burnley to have their say on the balance between an electricity network that is reliable, affordable and good for the environment.

The company, which is continuing to repair and service the north west’s power network even during the current lockdown, invests almost £1m a day in the region’s network of overhead power lines and underground electricity cables.

As society moves towards becoming carbon neutral, consumers are more reliant on electricity than ever before and the network operator expects demand in the north west to double by 2050 as people move away from fossil fuels to electric vehicles and other technologies.

Electricity North West currently powers the lives of five million people every day – from keeping hospitals open and working to streaming TV.

Jonny Morgan, external communications manager at Electricity North West, said: “The north west has one of the most reliable power networks in the world – and we want to keep it that way.

“About 20% of a typical household electricity bill comes to Electricity North West so that we can invest in the network. That part of the bill could go up or down depending on the choices we make about where, when and what to invest in.

“We’re keen to listen to exactly what people in the region think about a range of issues because they’re the ones who will fund it.

“Without the voices from people in communities such as Burnley - customers and businesses as well as young people - we can’t lead the way and power their lives today and tomorrow.”

Before the coronavirus outbreak, the network operator conducted research with customer and stakeholder focus groups on their electricity priorities over the coming years, along with interacting with young people at youth forums. It will continue to do this virtually over the next few months to help develop its plans further.

Towards the end of the process, the network operator will share results from the research, and its plan of action, with customers to check they’re on board with it.

To find out more about the customer engagement programme and to sign up to the online community, where you’ll be rewarded for your comments with regular entries to prize draws, visit pluggingin.co.uk.