Customers who had power cuts to get refund

Northern Ireland Electricity (NIE) today announced it is to make

Northern Ireland Electricity (NIE) today announced it is to make

goodwill payments to customers who suffered lengthy power cuts duringlast week's severe weather.

The announcement came as senior managers gave evidence to a StormontAssembly Committee about the power cuts that affected over 110,000homes and businesses.

The power company has come under severe criticism for the time ittook to get electricity restored and the shortcomings in its customeradvice lines.

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NIE said it would make payments to domestic customers of £50 forthose cut off between Monday night-Tuesday morning and noon onWednesday and of £100 to those who remained without electricity untilnoon on Thursday. Businesses similarly affected would be able toclaim £125 and £250.

NIE's director of corporate affairs Mr Peter Gavan said while therewas no legal requirement on the company to make any payments underthe Guaranteed Standards scheme, "we very much share the frustrationof our customers who lost power in these extreme conditions and feelit is appropriate that we make these payments to recognise the plightof those who were off power the longest, even though 94% of customerswere restored within 24 hours."

Mr Gavan thanked customers for the great patience they showed duringthe storms and pledged, "NIE will continue to target investment tominimise the effects of severe weather on the electricity network andto improve communications systems."

But he said it would "never be possible" to give guarantees on alargely rural electricity network serving a widely dispersedpopulation.

PA