"The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) is focused on the energy portfolio from the former Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS)."
It lists its responsibilities:
- delivering security of energy supply
- ensuring properly functioning energy markets
- encouraging greater energy efficiency
- seizing the opportunities of net zero to lead the world in new green industries
Now "delivering security of energy supply" is certainly something which our Government should be involved with, especially after the recent gas outage. In this respect it maintains a national emergency plan (last updated in 2023) for emergencies relating to electricity and gas.
Oversight of Business Continuity Management
DESNZ continues to work closely with industry and regulators to continually improve and maintain the resilience of energy infrastructure, networks and assets to reduce vulnerabilities and ensure an effective response to actual or potentially disruptive incidents. The Gas and Electricity sectors regularly conduct testing as part of their safety obligations, including through: • Internal training and exercises, • Bilateral tabletop exercises on specific risks, • Full industry annual exercises with Government participation (including scenarios with loss of supply to customers), and • Business Continuity Management planning (including pandemic planning and learning from Covid-19).
This lists details of business continuity planning by industries, and includes "Full industry annual exercises with Government participation (including scenarios with loss of supply to customers)". This is certainly something which could be done, and provides both oversight of the disaster planning, but also means the government knows what plans are in place before a disaster happens.
Communications
Communication and engagement with both the public and media during an emergency response is a critical function and it is vital that external communications are co-ordinated, consistent, clear and timely. To ensure effective co-ordination of messaging, detailed arrangements have been established between industry partners and DESNZ. Specific responsibilities and the balance of focus between organisations will differ depending on the nature of the incident, although in most incidents it is expected that industry parties will take the lead with communications, amplified via UK Government channels, the UK Government will lead communications in more serious emergencies, as defined in the communications plan.
Communications have improved significantly from Island Energy from Saturday where they were dreadful, but channels of communication could be using government help, especially for the more vulnerable - the elderly, the deaf community - where internet access may not be available, and where use of the telephone is not appropriate. It always seems to be assumed that everyone can hear well! As someone with two hearing aids, who struggles on the telephone, and who knows others who cannot even use a telephone, I am disappointed by the lack of alternatives highlighted. The government has access to SignVideo which could provide a signed BSL message, and any video information either by the gas company or the government should include BSL and subtitles if there is a significant issue, as with the gas outage.
Communication and engagement with both the public and media during an emergency response is a critical function and it is vital that external communications are co-ordinated, consistent, clear and timely. To ensure effective co-ordination of messaging, detailed arrangements have been established between industry partners and DESNZ. Specific responsibilities and the balance of focus between organisations will differ depending on the nature of the incident, although in most incidents it is expected that industry parties will take the lead with communications, amplified via UK Government channels, the UK Government will lead communications in more serious emergencies, as defined in the communications plan.
Communications have improved significantly from Island Energy from Saturday where they were dreadful, but channels of communication could be using government help, especially for the more vulnerable - the elderly, the deaf community - where internet access may not be available, and where use of the telephone is not appropriate. It always seems to be assumed that everyone can hear well! As someone with two hearing aids, who struggles on the telephone, and who knows others who cannot even use a telephone, I am disappointed by the lack of alternatives highlighted. The government has access to SignVideo which could provide a signed BSL message, and any video information either by the gas company or the government should include BSL and subtitles if there is a significant issue, as with the gas outage.
Examples:
The YouTube Video (to turn off the gas supply) had autogenerated subtitles if you know how to turn them on, and these are not always exact.
Gas Distribution Networks (GDNs) Emergencies
GDNs own and operate the local gas transmission and distribution systems and manage local emergencies affecting their own networks. In the event of an emergency GDNs will: • Co-operate with the GSO and NEC to manage a national emergency. • For a regional incident, develop a response strategy to resolve the situation. • Co-ordinate response activities across their organisation to resolve the situation and minimise customer impacts. This will involve LRF/Ps and SCGs who are multi-agency partnerships made up of representatives from local public services, including the emergency services, local authorities, the NHS, the Environment Agency and others. • For a regional incident, lead on public communications. • Provide timely and accurate updates to DESNZ and equivalent Electricity Networks to understand relevant crosssector impacts in event of a supply disruption. • Assist vulnerable customers who may need additional support, GDNs are required to maintain a Priority Services Register (PSR)
GDNs own and operate the local gas transmission and distribution systems and manage local emergencies affecting their own networks. In the event of an emergency GDNs will: • Co-operate with the GSO and NEC to manage a national emergency. • For a regional incident, develop a response strategy to resolve the situation. • Co-ordinate response activities across their organisation to resolve the situation and minimise customer impacts. This will involve LRF/Ps and SCGs who are multi-agency partnerships made up of representatives from local public services, including the emergency services, local authorities, the NHS, the Environment Agency and others. • For a regional incident, lead on public communications. • Provide timely and accurate updates to DESNZ and equivalent Electricity Networks to understand relevant crosssector impacts in event of a supply disruption. • Assist vulnerable customers who may need additional support, GDNs are required to maintain a Priority Services Register (PSR)
Following remarks above about the elderly, infirm and deaf, the law should have a statutory requirement for Island Energy (and also the JEC) to maintain a special register. Of most signicance is this - Assist vulnerable customers who may need additional support, GDNs are required to maintain a Priority Services Register (PSR). Note the word "required"!
References
https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/department-for-energy-security-and-net-zero
https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/1175172/national-emergency-plan-downstream-gas-and-electricity.pdf
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