SUFFOLK'S electricity distributor has been fined �2million for poor customer service, the energy watchdog announced today.

SUFFOLK'S electricity distributor has been fined �2million for poor customer service, the energy watchdog announced today.

Energy regulator Ofgem said it was issuing the fine because EDF Energy Networks had failed to offer new connections quickly enough to households and businesses in more than 100 cases between April 2006 and November 2008.

EDF distributes electricity to almost eight million customers in the East of England, London and the South East.

Sarah Harrison, Ofgem's managing director of corporate affairs, said: "Customers should not have to accept poor service in any part of the energy market."

A spokeswoman for the company said: “EDF Energy Networks is committed to achieving the highest standard of customer service.

“Therefore, the company greatly regrets the delays experienced by some customers previously in the provision of timely information regarding connection to its network.

“EDF Energy notified Ofgem of this issue at the time and the company provided information to the regulator on a total of 108 cases where it had taken more than the three month timeframe outlined in our licence.

“All 108 customers concerned were contacted and we have made goodwill payments to them all.

“The company recognises the seriousness of the issue. Since these historic cases we have made significant changes to ensure such issues do not arise again and that we deliver quotes for new connections within the regulatory time frame of three months.”

Did you wait a long time for an electricity connection? Write to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich IP4 1AN or e-mail eveningstarletters@eveningstar.co.uk.