Northern Powergrid gives insight into powering our lives

Northern Powergrid, the company responsible for delivering power to 3.9 million homes and businesses across the North East, Yorkshire and northern Lincolnshire, is set to feature as part of a new nationally broadcast BBC One programme called ‘Night Force’.

Airing weekdays from today (Monday 6 April) till 10 April at 11.45am, the programme will tell the story of the hard work that goes on every night to ensure the region has the essential services it needs every day. It will cover everything from transport and road workers - to showcasing the people behind the power.

As part of the series, colleagues from Northern Powergrid were filmed at work. As a 24/7 business the programme followed electricity first responder, Lenny Houghton, out in the community supporting customers and dispatchers Anthony Patterson and Kenny Lee who mobilise Northern Powergrid’s teams to respond to any issues affecting the region’s power network.

The programme makers also spent time with Network Control Manager Paul Richardson looking at how the company manages its high voltage power network remotely, ensuring it operates safely every day and switching electricity through different routes to restore supplies for customers and enable essential maintenance work. The programme, filmed last November, also saw contact centre advisors Reece Gray, Lesley Bradley and Reuben Drane, helping customers who call 105 – the free number to call in a power cut – and reaching out to support customers on its free Priority Services Register to check they were okay.

Night Force was filmed and edited independently by the BBC, so Northern Powergrid looks forward to seeing how the programme shows the vital job it does for society 365 days a year, 24 hours a day. Northern Powergrid is expected to feature in the episode currently planned for 16 April.

Andy Bilclough, Northern Powergrid’s Director of Field Operations, said: “The programme comes at a time when everyone - from the front line to our non-operational colleagues - is working as one team to fulfil our responsibility to manage critical infrastructure that power customers’ homes, hospitals and supermarkets across the region during the Coronavirus pandemic. I hope the programme helps recognise some of the excellent work our people do to support our customers and the communities we serve.”

The network operator, which is carrying out necessary works and repairs to keep its network safe and reliable for customers during the pandemic, is reminding people that they should only approach its teams in an emergency – and always maintain social distancing.

Its teams continues to be there for customers 24/7 on social media (Facebook or Twitter @NorthPowergrid) or by calling 105. Its website also provides information and advice to support customers if they need to report or find out about a power cut.

Any customers who may need additional advice or support due to their medical circumstances, or are currently ‘shielding’ in line with government and public health advice, may wish to consider joining the company’s free Priority Services Register.