ScottishPower controversies
Controversies tied to this brand in public sources. A listing is not a finding of fault.
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2021
National Grid and Scottish Power agree to £158m penalty over cable delays
Fine or penalty
In 2021, the industry regulator found that delays to the Western Link subsea power cable led to Scottish wind farms being paid to switch off on windy days. National Grid and Scottish Power agreed to pay a record £158m penalty in connection with the delays. A spokesperson for the joint venture said it recognized that it was ultimately accountable for the delay and had agreed to the redress package. The penalty was described as a record in the context of the regulator's findings.
Company response
Clarification — joint venture between National Grid and Scottish Power
A spokesperson for the joint venture between National Grid and Scottish Power said it had “worked hard to protect consumers against delay” but “recognises it is ultimately accountable for the delay and has therefore agreed to the redress package”.
Source excerpt
A spokesperson for the joint venture between National Grid and Scottish Power said it had “worked hard to protect consumers against delay” but “recognises it is ultimately accountable for the delay and has therefore agreed to the redress package”.
National Grid and Scottish Power agreed to pay the penalty after an investigation by the industry regulator found many of Scotland’s windfarms were paid to turn off on windy days because there was no way to transmit the clean electricity to areas of high energy demand in the south of the UK.
Two energy companies will pay a record £158m fine after delays to a major subsea power cable bringing renewable energy from Scotland to England and Wales caused home energy bills to rise.
2017
Disputed debt and bailiff case
ScottishPower pursued a couple for an alleged debt even though the couple reportedly were not customers and did not owe the claimed amount. The case attracted criticism after collection activity reached the couple's home.
2015
Customer-service and complaints failures
ScottishPower was temporarily barred from signing up new customers amid regulatory concerns about poor customer service, overdue bills and failure to implement Energy Ombudsman rulings. The company continued to receive substantial criticism in subsequent reporting.
2008
Ofgem investigation into electricity-market conduct
Ofgem investigated allegations involving ScottishPower and SSE and the possible exploitation of constrained electricity-transmission capacity in Scotland. The regulator was concerned that generators might influence plant availability and balancing payments when network capacity was tight. The specific investigation was suspended in 2009 while Ofgem addressed the wider market issue.