Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what assessment she has made of the adequacy of the resilience of the electricity distribution network in Hertfordshire to extreme weather and unplanned outages.

Maintaining the resilience of the energy system is one of Government’s top priorities. We work closely with Ofgem and all Distribution Network Operators (DNOs), such as UKPN, to continually improve and maintain the resilience, preparedness and security of energy infrastructure against risks including severe weather events.

Ofgem regulates DNOs through a price control process. This includes incentives to reduce the frequency and duration of power interruptions, no matter the cause, and to invest in and maintain infrastructure to guarantee minimum standards of service.

Following the Storm Arwen Review, operators have made significant improvements to system resilience during severe weather events.