As a responsible business Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN) is committed to acting sustainably, and is actively supporting the UK's net zero climate ambitions. SSEN is proud to have participated in the first ever Greenfest this weekend working with communities to support local solutions to a global problem.

The West Berkshire community event, held at Hampstead Norreys over the weekend, was organised by volunteers of all ages from local villages and towns, and provided a platform for people and organisations with ideas and expertise across a host of green initiatives to share their experiences.

This year SSEN, as part of SSE plc, adopted four new sustainable development targets linked to the UN's 2030 goals, including investing in its network to support 10 million electric vehicles in GB by 2030, championing the Fair Tax mark and the real Living Wage, and is active in supporting communities playing an active role in the transition to a net-zero carbon emissions economy.

SSEN Customer and Community Advisors set up shop within the green energy zone at the inaugural one-day festival to talk about energy efficiency, fuel poverty and the additional free services available to anyone who needs extra assistance during power cuts and adverse weather.

Bryan Puszkar, SSEN's Customer Relationship Manager explains more: "The work of the West Berkshire parishes, community charities, organisations and individuals in these communities to organise this event shows how much local resident and businesses care about sustainability, the climate and green initiatives."

"Our parent company SSE was one of the first companies to call for a net zero target, putting sustainable development at the heart of its strategy, so we were thrilled to be part of Greenfest and talk to our customers about how we can all play our part."

"It was fantastic to be involved with Greenfest, and to discuss with attendees how SSEN is working to support communities reduce their carbon emissions, and our Solent Achieving Value from Efficiency (SAVE) project."

SAVE tested and compared the impact of four different interventions with 8,000 Solent customers: Energy efficiency; Education; Monetary incentives; and Community engagement. By fusing smart technologies, with customer interaction, SSEN has developed a model for investment that minimises electricity costs for customers, maximises social benefits, including those to the fuel poor and vulnerable, and reduces carbon emissions.

Bryan added: "Greenfest was a welcome opportunity to promote the Priority Services Register (PSR), a free service for our customers that provides extra support during faults and power cuts. Many people can feel vulnerable when their electricity goes off, especially during severe weather, and by signing up to the PSR we are able to target extra support to those that need it."

Customers can join SSEN's Priority Services Register (PSR) if they:

  • Are dependent on electricity for home medical care, for example a kidney dialysis machine or ventilator
  • Have a chronic illness or short term medical condition; for example you are recovering from a major operation
  • Are disabled
  • Have special communication needs; for example because you are blind, partially sighted, deaf or hard of hearing
  • Have children under five
  • Are over 60 years old

To find out more and to access SSEN's multi-language PSR leaflets, please go to the Priority Services Register page on our website - https://www.ssen.co.uk/PriorityServices/.

If you would like to find out more about SSEN's SAVE project and get energy saving tips, please visit their site here - https://save-project.co.uk/