UK operations

UK electricity transmission network reliability in 2007/08 was 99.9999%, compared with 99.9999% in 2006/07. The average annual availability of the network  was 95.09%, compared with 95.02% in 2006/07. System availability at winter peak demand was 98.0% in 2006/07 compared with 98.2% in 2006/07.

Our UK gas transmission network reliability was once again 100%

Over the year, our UK gas distribution networks have achieved all the standards of service set by Ofgem that relate to our gas transportation services.

US Operations

In the US, our average annual electricity transmission network availability in 2007/08 was 98.6%. This compared with 98.1% in 2006/07.

The US electricity distribution system average interruption duration for 2007/08 (being the average time the average customer is without power during the year), was 110 minutes, compared with a target of 110-120 minutes.

Our gas operations in the US met all customer service standards over the past year.

The safety of the public

In 2007/08, we handled some 3.5 million emergency calls on the UK national gas emergency number on behalf of our networks, other networks and other gas transporters.

In both the UK and US, we again exceeded our regulatory agreed targets on safety-related standards. In the UK, more than 98% of ‘uncontrolled’ gas escapes (where the gas leak cannot be controlled by turning the gas supply off at the meter) were attended within one hour, and more than 99% of ‘controlled’ gas escapes (where the gas leak can be controlled at the meter) were attended within two hours.

In New York, we responded to 83% of gas escapes within 30 minutes (75% target), 96% within 45 minutes (target of 90%), and 99% within 60 minutes (target of 95%). In Rhode Island, we responded to 95% within 30 minutes (target of 91%), and 97% within 45 minutes (target of 93%).