Following the transmission failures and subsequent power cuts experienced in August and September 2003 in South London and East Birmingham, United Kingdom, respectively, Britain's energy regulator Ofgem launched an immediate investigation into their causes.

This investigation was expanded to incorporate inquiries into the power cut experienced in Gloucester and Cheltenham late last year.

Ofgem established an independent investigation team that is considering the issues surrounding these events. In the absence of any new evidence coming to light, the team expects to conclude its investigation within the next month, at which stage it will take the case to the Gas and Electricity Markets Authority for its ruling.

In parallel with the Ofgem investigation, Stephen Timms, the Minister for Energy, asked DTI's Engineering Inspectorate to undertake a formal investigation into the London and Midlands transmission failures. The investigation has been concluded, and the Engineering Inspectorate are passing the relevant conclusions and recommendations to the electricity companies concerned.

The Engineering Inspectorate investigation focused on whether electricity companies had complied with the Electricity Safety, Quality and Continuity Regulations 2002. This is a separate and distinct set of regulations to those against which Ofgem's independent investigation team will be making its assessment.

Ofgem's investigation differs, therefore, from that of the DTI's Engineering Inspectorate as the terms of reference of Ofgem's independent investigation team relate to potential breach of licensees' statutory duties or licence conditions. This is a complicated and complex process, which is why the Ofgem investigation will take longer to conclude.
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