Energy firms face cuts Balfour’s cool package

ELECTRICITY distribution companies may have combined revenue of £13.9million switched off unless they improve customer service.

Regulator Ofgem said all 14 of the UK’s distribution network operators, owned by six groups, “may have fallen short of expectations”. It follows a review of how they deal with new customers that request connections. Ofgem said: “Many failings involve poor communication. Some customers struggled to get progress updates or found information not detailed.” BALFOUR Beatty has been made preferred bidder by EDF Energy for the Hinkley point C nuclear power station tunnelling and marine works package, worth £200million.

The four-year deal will see the construction group build three marine tunnels as part of the Somerset station’s cooling system. It is Balfour’s second major package at Hinkley Point C, having secured a £460million electrical deal in a venture with NG Bailey in 2015. Balfour’s Stephen Tarr said: “It is testament to our expert engineering skills.”