The union also warned that the recent bad weather was not exceptional for winter, was certainly not comparable with the experiences of 1987, and that global warming will increase the probability of severe weather patterns.

In its submission to the British Power International (BPI) inquiry into the storm power failures, Prospect, on behalf of nearly 9,000 professional engineers and specialists in the electricity supply industry, said that ongoing financial pressures on are severely hampering the industry’s ability to respond in times of emergency.

But investment is only part of the problem. The union’s evidence states how figures for employment loss within the industry are stark and not compatible with maintaining security of supply. The total number of linesmen and engineers throughout the electricity distribution network is now not much greater than the number available to restore the network in the South-East following the storms of 1987.

And Prospect argues that not all investment needs are major. For example, companies no longer have strategically located regional equipment stores. Yet evidence from Prospect reveals that shortages of emergency equipment stores contributed to the problems experienced in certain areas after the recent storms. Members report that local stores, which traditionally held emergency stocks, have been allowed to run down, leading to a consequent shortage of equipment.

Another contributory factor identified by Prospect is the decline in routine maintenance, such as tree lopping, since privatisation. Similarly much of the refurbishment work undertaken can be described as token, the union has said. Examples include replacing notices in order to fulfil regulatory requirements and new stay insulators being fitted into old rusted stays.

Terry Lane, Prospect deputy general secretary: "While our members worked flat out during the recent cuts many said it was an uphill battle this time round compared with 1987. We are calling on the minister to use the forthcoming Energy White Paper to put in place a policy that would allow a period of investment. Continuing to allow prices to be driven down may satisfy customer and regulator demands, but the longer-term cost is to service delivery resulting in a greater price to pay when the infrastructure ultimately fails."