Just venting really, but I am wondering if privatising things by just creating a private monopoly can ever really work.
I am dealing with UK Power Networks. I need a simple single phase domestic-scale supply at my building site. On the night of my house fire, UKPN turned up at the behest of the fire service and just removed the overhead cable between my house and the pole a few yards away. They have never charged me for this, presumably because it was an emergency.
Now they want about £1700 plus VAT to put it back. Fair enough. I have to provide a GRP cabinet and a concrete plinth on which to put it. It shall have ducting through the plinth, and a 600mm deep trench shall be dug from the cabinet to within 1 metre of the pole (the new connection will be buried). I am not allowed to dig next to the pole itself, UKPN will do that bit. Specifications have been provided. The design document says my cabinet must be at least 900H x 600W x 300D. I have accordingly purchased one 910 x 660 x 320 for about £370.
This cabinet is pretty big, but it was pointed out to me that another document they issued "Your to-do list" actually specifies a cabinet 1300H x 1080W x 480D, with a front opening not less than 1100H x 900W. That is enormous!
This cabinet has to contain a meter, a fuse and a switch. I guess I (my electrician) will have to fit some sort of distribution board but as the 910 x 660 cabinet is at least twice the size of my old meter cupboard I don't think this will be a problem. I think we can put the distribution point in a separate temporary cupboard anyway and my PM says we can use a domestic meter box on a stake.
Today UKPN conceded that as I had followed their design document which they "haven't got around to altering" my cabinet will be acceptable, even though their spec has changed. The cheapest one I could find in the larger size was nearly £1200.
I have decided this supply will be permanent. I've had enough. UKPN have confirmed that my electrician can put a sub supply in to the house (when built) and the meter can stay in the garden. This will save me another 4 figure charge from UKPN for moving the supply.
I've budgeted £3,000 to get the electricity back, from a pole 4 metres from my house! It probably won't be enough.
Compared to Scottish Power, UKPN are fantastic but they certainly make a meal of it.
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New electricity supply new
New electricity supply new