60 second interview

As part of a regular series of interviewing our staff, we caught up with Ty Coch Engineering Specialist, Adrian Taylor.

What’s your career background?

I started as an Apprentice Fitter/Jointer with the South Wales Electricity Board in 1983 aged 17, working in the old Cwmbran depot in Rees Road. I completed a four year apprenticeship in both fitting and jointing. When WPD took over in 2000, I was appointed as the East Wales Cable Specialist, where I have remained ever since.

How many schemes like this do you work on?

I have approximately 12 planned construction schemes ongoing at the moment, but as one finishes another one appears.                

What’s the biggest challenge?

The biggest challenges are managing staff, contractors and customers/developers. In addition, when responding to network faults, there are very tight timescales to meet to get customers back on supply, which can be challenging when the weather is bad.

What does your role entail?

My roles are varied and include responding to network faults, HV/ LV cable fault location and repair, managing HV construction schemes, installing new 11kV distribution substations, 66kV/11kV overhead and underground construction and diversions, HV and LV Generation witness testing, and operating, maintaining and constructing private customer networks.

What do you like best about your role?

I like the variety of work, not always knowing what each day will bring, dealing with customers and developers, and having the opportunity to work throughout the East Wales area, which has some stunning scenery.

What do you like to do in your spare time?

I enjoy mountain and beach walks with my wife and two dogs, and mountain biking when time and weather permits.