RP7 Stakeholder Consultation WEB - Flipbook - Page 41
Low carbon future strategy
Bird fouling
•Affordability for vulnerable
customers is a key consideration as
there is a social dimension to the
transition to a low carbon future. We
need to ensure a socially inclusive
and fair transition to DSO.
•Customers have raised significant
concerns about the impact of bird
fouling caused by birds sitting on
NIE Networks equipment. Those
who are excessively affected by
bird fouling at their property have
told us that the issue causes strong
feelings of stress, frustration and
futility. Some have been living with
and dealing with the issue for many
years and others had bought homes
more recently, not knowing that they
would experience this issue.
•Customers want NIE Networks
to support them in the Energy
Transition. There is opportunity for
education and confidence building
amongst customers to create ‘buyin’ to new low carbon solutions.
•Customers are thinking about
the future however, some are
experiencing a lack of support and
a high level of risk in implementing
innovative technologies and they
would welcome support from NIE
Networks.
•Customers want to see a roadmap
for the energy transition and have
outlined that collaboration is key to
achieving this.
•Customers have provided feedback
that there is a need to create a
favourable regulatory environment
and to carve out a proactive role for
NIE Networks in the transition to a
low carbon future.
•Customers experiencing bird fouling
on their property have advised
that the impact on daily living was
huge: continuous cleaning of cars,
patios and yards; not being able
to use their garden; having to park
elsewhere which was not always
possible; frequently going out to
scare birds away; not inviting visitors
to their home or friends choosing
not to visit; embarrassment when
visitors are soiled; and in one
case the issue resulted in the
hospitalisation of a child.
•Customers experiencing bird fouling
reported that the issue impacts their
mental health.
•Customers have raised concerns
that bird fouling is an environmental
health issue.
•Customers experiencing bird
fouling acknowledge that they
have no power to resolve the
issue themselves as they are not
permitted to move the lines privately.
These customers feel that NIE
Networks should invest in putting
wires underground, and they
want better communication and
understanding from NIE Networks
on the issue.
•Customers have raised concerns
about reaching the ambitious scale
to meet government targets.
RP7 Stakeholder Consultation
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