Many thanks for your help.

Yes I have checked and it is definately EDF who are the Distribution Network Operator, they are also my supplier (unfortunately, but I am going to rectify that as soon as possible)

I had contacted my insurer about fridge/freezer contents and they have informed me that, if the fridge and freezer had broken down, then I could have claimed on my insurance, but as it was a power failure, I cant and therefore I must look to the network operator for reimbursement.

A further call to EDF's so-called customer service team has been fruitless, I realise that these things happen - but once or twice a week it beyond belief, EDF are refusing to listen, they in fact have even dismissed the complaint by our Parish Council. The latest excuse is that they have not received any letters - very strange as they were all sent recorded delivery and signed for by an employee of EDF.

I am at my wits end, just hoping that someone on here could give me some hope without applying to the ombudsman or the Courts.

BTW, I have made claims under EGS2a, one has been accepted, but its the remainder, just sick and tired that we are plagued by power cuts and EDF are basically not interested.

thanks again

Pippin2:

Just to correct something I said in my last post. Its not certain the payments are "automatic", it's possible they have to be claimed. Attached is a "typical" guide to the standards. This one is E.ON's but the same law applies elsewhere.

http://www.eon-uk.com/downloads/Final_NOR_September_2009.pdf

Quite complicated unfortunately.

Also unfortunately, you can't just compile a shopping list of costs, as you wanted to.

Finally, although you are sounding off about EDF, are you certain that an EDF company is the Distribution Network Operator (DNO) where your live?

Pippin2:

, am I justified in witholding my bill payments to EDF to reimburse me that way?

That would not be sensible and is entirely a different issue. Keep paying your energy account according to the bill. Always check any estimated reading against the meter and get the bill reissued if you are not happy with the accuracy of the estimate.

The compensation rights are contained in legislation which I don't have immediately to hand. And they are not generous, though they are supposed to be "automatic". If you have raised a formal complaint and you are not satisfied with the response after 8 weeks, definately you should consider asking the Energy Ombudsman to consider the complaint.

The team leader's demeanour is an entirely seperate issue. You are entitled to complain about that if you so wish.

New to these forums and just need to vent at EDF. Quite a long sotry though!

Since October 2009 the village I live in has been suffering with power failures on an almost weekly basis. Its the same old problem time after time, a problem with an overhead cable. The power failures last for approx 10 - 24hrs. Last power failure was 28th Feb.

Numerous calls to EDF have produced nothing, no apology or an explanation as to what is going on. In fact the so-called "customer service advisors" are a bunch of idiots and SO RUDE. We have had nothing but complete lies givnew to us as to the estimate reapir times on each power failure, lied to as regards engineers being on site.

A call to EDF this morning regarding the last power failure has left me in tears the woman I spoke to who according to her was a "team leader" informed me that "If I thought I was getting compensation, then I could think again as little power cuts such as my village were experiencing were not eligable for compensation, I had already had £50 and if I thought I was getting anymore out them, well think again!!" She was extremely rude and not at all professional. He informed me that 10hrs without heat or light was in her view "a minor inconvenience", my apartment is all electric so I dont think it is at all minor

By my reckoning EDF owe me £485.00 being £50 each time my power was off and including ruined food, gas bottles for my heater as I had no electic and the expense of having to phone for hot meals to be delivered as I have an electric cooker. A gas supply is not available in my village

EDF has refused to respond to any of my letters, I have sent a total of 6 since December, apart from now placing this matter before the ombudsman, am I justified in witholding my bill payments to EDF to reimburse me that way?

Any other way I can make them pay for this?