Lighting up Britain “The power and gas sector has Some of Britain’s Energy Expertise shown particular resilience within E.ON most regions during the recession, P2 Pelamis Wave Machine p22 being one of only a few sectors to increase jobs at a time when generally unemployment was on the rise.”

Powering the UK – Ernst & Young report (September 2011) SSE Training Centre p20

Scottish Power Whitelee Wind Farm p14

Energy UK Home Heat Helpline p16 EDF Energy Hunterston and Torness power stations p18

National Grid Training Centre p26 Powerwise p6 E.ON Smart Meter Centre of Excellence p32 SSE RWE Greater Gabbard Health Through Warmth British Gas Wind Farm p28 p10 Green Skills Centre p12

RWE npower EDF Energy Aberthaw p8 London Warm Zone p34 p30

British Gas p24 Foreword

The energy industry has a crucial role to play in our economic recovery. Research from Ernst & Young shows that the power and gas sector contributed £28 billion to the wider UK economy in 2010 and contributed more to the nations and regions than many other sectors. Almost £17 billion was invested in the sector between 2008 and 2010. And around 45,000 new jobs were created. A great many of these new jobs require a skilled workforce, And the industry has been investing significantly to train people around the country to the necessary high standards. This report highlights examples of investments large and small that companies have been making in low-carbon generation, skills, education and in schemes to help the most vulnerable people in society. The energy industry stands ready to invest further, leading the way in creating jobs and driving innovation.

Christine McGourty Director of Energy UK

5 WALES ScottishPower Powerwise The lesson was very Pioneering safety education programme in Wales professional and very worthwhile – the children have thoroughly • ScottishPower’s Powerwise education programme, in the Manweb distribution area, is focused on making primary enjoyed the experience. school children more aware of the dangers of electricity. • It has been delivered to over 330,000 school children. The programme is delivered bilingually to schools in Wales and is supported by a bilingual interactive website.

In February 2011, ScottishPower began the next phase of its primary school safety education programme in Llanystumdwy when pupils at Ysgol Llanystumdwy were paid a visit by the energy company’s specialist safety teacher – assisted by Sparky the Crow. Pupils from Reception to Year 6 took part in lively interactive sessions which taught them how to identify potential electrical safety hazards. This ranged from household dangers, such as the risk of using cutlery to retrieve bread from a toaster, to staying safe near substations and overhead power lines outdoors. Mrs Davey, Head Teacher at Ysgol Llanystumdwy, said: “The lesson was very professional and very worthwhile – the children have thoroughly enjoyed the experience.”

Sparky the Crow with ScottishPower’s specialist safety teacher

6 7 WALES RWE npower Aberthaw power station We hope that many people Flexible power from – teaching the next generation from across the region will be able to benefi t from the new Centre for • Aberthaw can generate 1,500MW of electricity which is enough power to meet the needs of around 1.5 million people. Energy and Environment here • npower have recently completed a £230 million environmental at Aberthaw. upgrade, making Aberthaw one of the most effi cient coal-fi red power stations in the UK. • The power station also contributes around £50 million to the Welsh economy every year. • In January 2011, building work was completed on the construction of the £1 million Aberthaw Centre for Energy and Environment. The Centre will deliver interactive educational programmes, building on the work of npower’s Climate Cops programme

The Climate Cops programme shows young people how they can take a lead in being greener at home and school. By the end of the year, over 1,000 South Wales primary school pupils will have taken part in its activities. The Aberthaw Centre will also be used for local community events and as a training centre for power station staff. Phil Allen, Aberthaw Power Station Manager, said: “We hope that many people from across the region will be able to benefi t from the new Centre for Energy and Environment here at Aberthaw. We want the centre itself to be an example of sustainability and energy effi ciency, providing the perfect setting for young people to learn about these important issues.” Aberthaw power station, South Wales

8 9 WALES RWE npower Health Through Warmth I couldn’t be more Working together in Wales for warmer thankful for what the scheme homes and better health has done for me and for • npower runs the Health Through Warmth Programme which provides targeted support to those whose health is adversely the organisations that came affected by cold, damp living conditions – irrespective of whether forward to provide funding. they are npower customers. • In Wales, npower has spent over £440,000 on a crisis fund for vulnerable people not eligible for government grants, and has also part-funded a number of staff to help with operational support and fundraising. • npower has provided support for both Wrexham & Flintshire and Vale of Glamorgan Health Through Warmth schemes.

Doreen Byrne, aged 62 from Barry, in the Vale of Glamorgan, has severe arthritis and diabetes. She contacted the Health Through Warmth Co-ordinator in March 2011 and needed a new boiler. Doreen was not eligible for a government grant, so a contribution of £1,185 was made by The Royal British Legion as Doreen’s late husband had served in the Armed Forces. The remaining balance of £1,185 was obtained from the unique npower Health Through Warmth Crisis Fund. Doreen said: “I didn’t think I was eligible for any help until I contacted npower Health Through Warmth. I couldn’t be more thankful for what the scheme has done for me and for the organisations that came forward to provide funding. The new boiler and radiators have been invaluable.” Gary Ford and Nikki Cush from Health Through Warmth talk to Mrs Byrne about the scheme

10 11 WALES British Gas Green Skills Centre I really enjoyed the training and State-of-the-art training in the heart of the Welsh Valleys it’s exciting to be involved in a job with technology that is going to • The British Gas Green Skills Centre in Tredegar is an investment targeted at the rapidly growing green energy sector and has change the way that people think established the UK’s fi rst dedicated centre of excellence in green about using energy in future. skills training. • It offers practical training and qualifi cations for would-be energy effi ciency assessors, and installers of new green technologies. It also offers opportunities for existing British Gas engineers to improve their skills, as well as being a community training facility accessed by local businesses, groups and schools. • The Centre was developed in partnership with the Welsh Government, JobMatch, Jobcentre Plus, Summit Skills and Blaenau Gwent County Borough Council.

Mark Hibbs is 39 and lives in Six Bells, Abertillery and had previously worked for civil engineering and manufacturing companies. After a fruitless three year search for work, he applied for the smart meter traineeship because he saw it as an opportunity to work for a secure, blue chip company. Following an intensive six month training course covering smart meters, gas safety and electrical and gas installations, Mark has now been offered a full time job with British Gas as a smart meter engineer.

Mark Hibbs, smart meter engineer with British Gas

12 13 SCOTLAND ScottishPower Whitelee Wind Farm With 140 turbines generating Visitors fl ock to Europe’s largest onshore wind farm 322 MW of electricity, Whitelee produces enough to power • ScottishPower Renewables’ onshore wind farm at Whitelee is Europe’s largest, and is located on Eaglesham Moor just around 180,000 homes. 20 minutes from central Glasgow. • With over 500 people involved in its construction, the wind farm cost around £300 million to build and consists of 140 turbines generating 322 MW of electricity, enough to power around 180,000 homes. • Work on a 75 turbine extension is currently underway. This means that it will gain an additional 217 MW of capacity, enough for over 124,000 homes. • ScottishPower was awarded the Queen’s Award for Enterprise in Sustainable Development for its commitment to sustainability in the development, construction and on-going operation of Whitelee wind farm. The project was an example of best practice in habitat management and the site is home to birds such as merlin and black grouse. There was also a strong commitment to encourage the local community to be involved.

ScottishPower Renewables’ £2m visitor centre at Whitelee is the fi rst of its kind in Scotland and was built as part of the development of the wind farm. Managed by Glasgow Science Centre, it has already welcomed over 120,000 people through its doors. The wind farm has also proved to be a hugely popular destination for educational visits. More than 4,500 school pupils have visited Whitelee as part of school groups to learn about renewable energy from the staff in the interactive Winter at Whitelee Wind Farm learning zone. 14 15 SCOTLAND Energy UK Home Heat Helpline My carer advised me to call the Providing advice and support for vulnerable consumers Home Heat Helpline. The person I spoke to was very helpful and • Based in Glasgow, the national freephone Home Heat Helpline (0800 33 66 99) is run by the Energy Retail Association on advised me about free insulation behalf of the major gas and electricity suppliers. and reduced tariffs. • Operated by expert advisors, it is a central point of contact for people in need of advice and support regarding their energy bills and assistance in reducing their energy costs. • Callers receive information on the grants, insulation measures, benefi ts and payment schemes to which they may be entitled. • In 2010, the Helpline gave information to over 50,000 people on energy effi ciency and how to get money off their bills.

Irene Dixon, 74, said: “I am registered disabled and suffer from arthritis so it’s important that my husband and I keep the house as warm as possible during the winter months.” “My carer advised me to call the Home Heat Helpline. The person I spoke to was very helpful and advised me about free insulation and reduced tariffs. She said that my supplier might be able to give me a rebate of £85 off my bill, so I was put directly though to my supplier to discuss it.” “The help and advice given to me by the Home Heat Helpline was really useful and I would defi nitely recommend it to any friends or relatives who may be in a similar position.”

Irene Dixon received help and advice by calling the Home Heat Helpline

16 17 SCOTLAND EDF Energy Hunterston and Torness power stations: The engineering challenge was Schools Engineering Challenge 2011 a fantastic way to teach young Generating electricity and interest in Scottish schools children how different forms of • EDF Energy owns and operates two stations Hunterston B and Torness which generate enough power to energy are sourced and generated, provide over 42% of Scotland’s entire electricity. Between and encouraged them to look at them they employ over 1,100 people as well as at least 300 permanent contractors. the environment in which they • In order to encourage local children to think about the environment and how electricity is generated, EDF Energy’s Torness power live, in a different way. station and Babcock International Group supported the Schools Engineering Challenge 2011. • Teams of children from six schools in East Lothian and the Borders competed to see which team could generate the most electricity. • EDF Energy staff at Torness acted as mentors providing guidance and assistance to the children, who spent ten weeks building a hydro-unit that could generate electricity and light.

Selvin Roberts, EDF Energy Technical and Safety Manager at Torness, said: “The engineering challenge was a fantastic way to teach young children how different forms of energy are sourced and generated, and encouraged them to look at the environment in which they live, in a different way. We were delighted to have supported this year’s challenge and have enjoyed regular contact with the schools as the children work their way through the tasks.”

Oscar the friendly robot with children who took part in the Schools Engineering Challenge 2011

18 19 SCOTLAND SSE Training Centre High quality training is Improving skills and providing jobs in tough economic times good for the people receiving it, for the organisations that • SSE’s new £5 million Training Centre will provide instruction to improve staff skills across all parts of the company’s business as employ them and for the well as management training. economy as a whole. • Over 2,000 trainees are expected to pass through the Training Centre each year. In 2010/11, SSE recruited around 200 school leavers, trainees, graduates and apprentices in Scotland, all of whom benefi ted from the new facility.

The state-of-the-art Training Centre in Perth is making an important contribution towards the country’s economic recovery by improving skills and offering training to school- leavers and apprentices. The Centre provides trainees with development opportunities and the operational skills for working in all parts of SSE, including , electricity and gas networks, home services, energy effi ciency, electrical and utility contracting, and smart meter installation. Jim McPhillimy, Group Services Director said: “High quality training is good for the people receiving it, for the organisations that employ them and for the economy as a whole. SSE’s Training Centre is a state-of-the-art facility which will help add to the skills base in SSE and in Scotland. It is a very worthwhile and exciting development.”

Class in progress at SSE’s new £5 million Training Centre

20 21 SCOTLAND E.ON P2 Pelamis wave machine Les Atkinson is an Operations Developing innovative marine energy off the coast of Orkney Engineer and part of E.ON’s marine energy team. He joined • E.ON is currently testing a P2 Pelamis wave machine, the fi rst of its kind in Britain, off the west coast of Orkney at the European the project in March 2011 and Marine Energy Centre. is responsible for looking after • This innovative technology is at an early testing stage, but in certain conditions the Pelamis machine has recorded bursts of E.ON’s operational marine assets – power in excess of 1MW. The amount of electricity it generates is expected to rise substantially as the project progresses. of which Pelamis is the fi rst. • The machine was named Vágr Atferð (Old Norse for ) by Orkney schoolboy Matthew Rendall, and was offi cially launched by Rt Hon Alex Salmond, the First Minister of Scotland. • It will be joined by a second P2 Pelamis owned by ScottishPower Renewables later in 2011.

Les Atkinson is an Operations Engineer and part of E.ON’s marine energy team. He joined the project in March 2011 and is responsible for looking after E.ON’s operational marine assets – of which Pelamis is the fi rst.

His eight years’ experience in the Navy has stood him in good stead at E.ON and he has a long-standing passion for all things marine. He believes marine energy could be “the next big thing” and is committed to harnessing this untapped resource in the best way possible.

Pelamis in action

22 23 British Gas Langage power station I had experience of gas Securing power and gas supplies for turbines, boilers and water Britain’s homes and businesses treatment plants from my time • Langage Power Station can generate up to 900 MW and is capable of delivering electricity to power nearly 1 million homes. on ships and although the basic • British Gas completed the construction of the £400m gas fi red principles are the same, this is power station in 2010. on a lot bigger scale! • It was designed to blend into the natural beauty of ’s Dartmoor National Park. The modern design of the facility ensures that fi ts in with its surroundings and has a minimum impact on its immediate environment. • Langage is one of the most advanced gas fi red power stations in the world with carbon emissions levels amongst the lowest for this kind of facility.

Former Chief Petty Offi cer Nigel Gibbs left the Navy to join as an operations technician at Langage Energy Centre. He spends half his time running the plant and the other half maintaining it. Nigel also has to watch for on-going instructions from the National Grid and traders in the energy markets.

Nigel said: “I’m responsible for the operation of all the plant – the starting and stopping of equipment and the working of all the plant when it is running. I had experience of gas turbines, boilers and water treatment plants from my time on ships and although the basic principles are the same, this is on a lot bigger scale!” ‘Langage power station, Devon

24 25 ENGLAND National Grid Eakring Training Centre The training facilities used A highly skilled workforce – throughout my apprenticeship expert training in the energy industry were really good and gave a true • National Grid’s Training Centre, in Eakring, north of Nottingham, has a crucial role in providing expert training across the energy representation of the equipment industry. From electricity overhead lines to virtual reality suites, and substation environment I the centre provides a comprehensive range of technical and leadership development programmes. would be working in. • The centre also manages the training for National Grid’s Gas Transmission business through a specialist gas skills facility. • It has 45 fully equipped training rooms, a learning resource centre, four specialist practical training workshops and accommodation for the trainees. • Nearly £10 million is being spent on extending and improving facilities and a new workshop and switchgear centre will open in September 2011.

Advanced apprentice Carla Amers has combined her on- the-job learning with structured training modules at Eakring. Carla’s work involves maintenance of the high voltage switchgear in National Grid’s transmission network. She is now studying for a two year part time Electrical Power Engineering Foundation Degree at Aston University. Carla said: “The training facilities used throughout my apprenticeship were really good and gave a true representation of the equipment and substation environment I would be working in. I enjoyed my apprenticeship and it’s given me a solid foundation to progress in my career.” Carla Amers, advanced apprentice at Eakring Training Centre

26 27 ENGLAND SSE Greater Gabbard Wind Farm The Greater Gabbard Offshore Leading the world in offshore wind Wind Farm is a big project and we needed a fi rst class operations • SSE is currently constructing one of the world’s largest offshore wind farms at Greater Gabbard in the North Sea, in a joint venture base in order to carry out the job with RWE npower renewables. effi ciently and effectively. • The project will cost approximately £1.3 billion. The wind farm, approximately 25 kilometres off the coast of Suffolk, will consist of 140 wind turbines and, when fully operational in 2012, will provide enough clean electricity to power around 530,000 homes. • 108 turbines have already been installed and the foundations laid for all the proposed turbines. The fi rst power was generated in 2011.

The project has invested around £1.5 million in the development of an operations and maintenance base at the old Waveney Fish Market in Lowestoft. Around 100 jobs will be created at the base, with some employees already in place. Local fi shermen are transporting men and equipment out to the wind farm during construction. Steve Rose, Offshore Wind Operations Manager said: “The Greater Gabbard Offshore Wind Farm is a big project and we needed a fi rst class operations base in order to carry out the job effi ciently and effectively. The new development at Lowestoft helps us deliver this and is also providing local jobs which are much needed in the region.”

The team at Greater Gabbard Wind Farm

28 29 ENGLAND Good Energy Delabole Wind Farm We’re enormously proud of Renewable energy at the heart of the community our investment in Delabole. The wind farm now accounts for • Built in 1991 by a local farming family, the Edwards, the wind farm was bought by Good Energy in 2002. around 20% of the total 100% • In taking the UK’s fi rst commercial wind farm into its second renewable electricity supplied by generation in 2010, Good Energy invested £11.8 million. Good Energy... • Ten old turbines were replaced with four new ones which more than doubled its output. Total capacity is now 9.2MW – enough to supply roughly 7000 homes. • The old turbines have been shipped to Lithuania where they will continue to generate renewable electricity. • Good Energy has also established a community fund worth £9,000 a year to fund projects that benefi t the local community.

The original owners are still involved with the wind farm, with Martin Edwards sitting on the board of the Good Energy Group and managing the wind farm site. Working closely with Martin, Juliet Davenport, CEO of Good Energy said: “We’re enormously proud of our investment in Delabole. The wind farm now accounts for around 20% of the total 100% renewable electricity supplied by Good Energy, and is the fi rst in a pipeline of new wind energy projects we’re working on, with a further 50MW of new capacity planned over the next fi ve years.”

Juliet Davenport at the Delabole Wind Farm launch

30 31 ENGLAND E.ON Smart Metering Centre of Excellence Rowena Sims is one of Preparing Britain for a smart energy revolution E.ON’s Smart Advisers who has managed to reduce her own • Opened in May 2011, E.ON’s Centre of Excellence is a dedicated contact centre supporting their customers with smart meters. energy bills by 20% since her • Over 35,000 E.ON customers have already had smart meters smart meter was installed. fi tted and the company plans to reach a target of one million installations by the end of March 2014. • The 100-strong team, based at the Centre of Excellence near Nottingham, all have smart meters installed in their own homes so are well placed to help customers with queries regarding all aspects of having smart meters fi tted.

Smart meters are the next generation of electricity and gas meters. They will bring about the end of estimated bills and give customers and energy companies accurate and up-to-date information on energy being used in the home and across the country.

The Centre allows E.ON to incorporate the feedback from its early smart meter trials into wider plans for the full scale roll out and ensure that customer have the best possible experience throughout the entire process.

Rowena Sims is one of E.ON’s Smart Advisers who has managed to reduce her own energy bills by 20% since her smart meter was installed.

Smart Adviser, Rowena Sims, meets Energy Minister, Charles Hendry, at the Centre’s opening

32 33 ENGLAND EDF Energy London Warm Zone I would absolutely recommend Saving money, improving comfort, maximising anyone who’s having problems income for the vulnerable with heating their homes to get in • The London Warm Zone scheme was established by EDF Energy in 2001 and has been since been rolled out across 24 London touch – you might be surprised at boroughs. This is a community programme that tackles the how much they can help. challenges of fuel poverty and climate change. • The scheme works by identifying the most vulnerable people in society through a systematic door-to-door assessment process, and providing them with grants for energy saving home improvements such as insulation, regardless of income. • More than 200,000 assessments have been carried out, helping people in around 50,000 homes and leading to an investment of £30 million. • The scheme has allowed residents to claim £8 million worth of benefi ts by helping them claim all that they are entitled to.

Trevor and Olive Richards, who received help to improve their home, said: “Before London Warm Zones called, our home was coal heated and carrying the coal from the cellar became increasingly diffi cult as time went on. London Warm Zone and EDF Energy installed a new gas supply, central heating and loft insulation which has made such a difference. I would absolutely recommend anyone who’s having problems with heating their homes to get in touch – you might be surprised at how much they can help.”

Martin Lawrence and Nigel Turner from EDF Energy meet Olive and Trevor Richards

34 35 Energy UK was formed in 2009 and is the communications unit for Britain’s leading gas and electricity companies: British Gas, EDF Energy, E.ON, RWE npower, ScottishPower, and SSE Tel: 020 7104 4160 www.energy-uk.org.uk September 2011

DISCLAIMER: All information contained in this book was believed to be correct at time of publication. Energy UK does not assume responsibility for errors or omissions, nor accept liability for incidental or consequential damages in connection with, or arising out of the use the information contained within.