Prospects in far-flung corners of the UK typically suppose sensible meters and EV’s are out of attain for them. However we love a problem, and we’ll go above and past to make it occur. From ferry-hopping and speed-boating between islands, to helicoptering and trekking distant landscapes in Scotland, our engineers do all of it. At occasions even carrying heavy gear to clients on foot if it means they’ll get cheaper, greener power.
I spoke with Matthew, an Space Supervisor, and Dan, certainly one of our engineers, to seek out out what it takes to get sensible meters from A to B and listen to about a few of the gorgeous locations they’ve been.
Samsam: So, Matthew – what do you do?
Matthew: As an Space Supervisor, I deal with installations and lead groups, typically in a few of the UK’s most distant places. We set up sensible meters and EV chargers – in these rural areas, getting there can imply day/night time lengthy drives and even a ferry journey. Generally it takes 15 hours simply to succeed in a web site, however our precedence is ensuring everybody has entry to dependable power and an amazing service, irrespective of the place they reside.
Samsam: How do you retain issues operating easily once you’re working in a few of the most distant corners of the nation?
Matthew: We’ve acquired a system that ensures we go to each space we work in, not less than each six weeks. Which means tremendous distant locations like Shetland, Orkney and the Isle of Skye all get common protection. The truth is, we’ve simply employed an engineer from Stornoway who’s been engaged on the Isle of Lewis for 20 years.
He is aware of the island so nicely he doesn’t even want sat-nav— plus, he is aware of most people there!
Matthew: Proper now, our engineer Dan is on the Isle of Tiree, which has a inhabitants of about 650 folks. He is staying at a small resort tonight on this rural city tonight, and was simply requested by them to verify their meter! They’re so glad to have an engineer on the town.
I have been so busy as a result of clients are coming as much as me as quickly as they see the pink Octopus van, asking if I can match a meter for them while I am right here.
Engineer, Dan.
Samsam: What are a few of the most enjoyable experiences you’ve had in these distant places?
Dan: Nicely, simply this morning I used to be caught in visitors as a result of a sheep determined to take a bit nap on the highway. It was hilarious – and there’s worse locations to be in visitors than a shocking mountain in rural Scotland!
Samsam: Undoubtedly! And what are a few of the greatest challenges with installations in these places?
Matthew: Logistics. Journey prices are big—typically we’d like an in a single day ferry, just like the 13-hour one from Aberdeen to Shetland. And lodging might be powerful, particularly in locations just like the Isle of Skye throughout peak vacationer season.
We additionally work in locations the place you’ll be able to’t even take a van. On some islands, our engineers have to go away the van behind, hop on a ferry on foot, and both stroll or get picked up by an area. They carry all their gear in a backpack, and we ask for photographs of the set up web site beforehand to ensure they bring about precisely what’s wanted.
Matthew: If there’s an emergency, it’s all palms on deck and typically an engineer will journey for days at a second’s discover. It’s exhausting work nevertheless it’s fulfilling, and we do all of it as a group.
Dan as soon as needed to stroll three-quarters of a mile from the ferry terminal to a buyer’s residence carrying all his gear. That’s dedication!
Samsam: How do clients react once you present up?
Matthew: They’re often actually relieved. Some folks have been ready years. One buyer had been ready over a 12 months for a brand new connection. Sadly, their appointment acquired cancelled, and so they ended up switching to us, and we have been in a position to assist them. This occurs rather a lot in rural locations – which is why we work so exhausting to succeed in folks.
This morning, a buyer mentioned, I’m the speak of the island— my Octopus van was noticed on day one! Their native Fb group was buzzing
Engineer Dan
Samsam: What makes Octopus totally different from different power suppliers in these conditions?
Matthew: We don’t simply present up, set up a meter, and go away. Numerous different corporations will put in a sensible meter, realise it doesn’t work as a consequence of community points, and simply transfer on. However we take all the additional steps needed to ensure the meters truly work earlier than we go away.
There’s a technical problem with sensible meters within the north of the UK as a result of they depend on totally different sign sorts. The same old system doesn’t at all times work in these distant places, so we acquired permission to make use of another hub. Which means our engineers can almost at all times get sensible meters up and operating correctly, irrespective of the place.
We’re not simply ticking a field—we’re ensuring clients in even probably the most distant areas get the identical high quality of service as anybody else.
Matthew
Samsam: Sensible meters have gotten extra important by the day, proper?
Matthew: Completely. With the rise of EVs, warmth pumps, and photo voltaic tariffs they’re vital. Many shoppers have missed out on big financial savings by ready too lengthy, and with 1000’s of non-smart meters of a particular kind (referred to as a Radio Teleswitch meter) are as a consequence of be switched off this 12 months, leaving clients with out a correctly working meter. That’s why we’re working exhausting to ensure everybody in rural areas has entry to sensible meters and dependable energy—it’s not about revenue for us, it’s all about service.
Samsam: If somebody rode together with you for a day, what would shock them most?
Matthew: Simply how distant and exquisite it’s, in these components of Scotland. It’s a unique world out right here.
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