Match the expressions to the definitions.

1 circuit breaker

 

2 force majeure

 

3 power outage

 

4 power surge

 

5 substation

a a unit which increases or decreases voltage levels

b a sharp, temporary rise in current or voltage levels which can cause damage to electrical equipment

c equipment which protects electrical apparatus from a sharp rise in current levels by switching off electrical current automatically

d loss of electrical power to an area

e an unexpected or uncontrollable event; nobody is at fault or responsible for subsequent damage

UNIT 2 Markets and customers | 19

Before writing this letter • Dear Anna • He assured me • I look forward to hearing from you • I therefore suggest • May I remind you • I might add • We are extremely concerned • Yours sincerely •

10 Complete this letter of complaint from Paul Robben to Anna Smith with the expressions from the box.

Association of European Chemical Producers

Energy Procurement Unit

 

Oranjeweg 118 • 3014 LA Rotterdam • Netherlands

 

Ms Anna Smith ELEC International Business Sales Unit Hohewall 34

D-10423 Berlin Germany

10 April 20..

 

I was somewhat dismayed to find out that just three weeks after I had signed the purchase contract with ELEC for our organization there was a sudden and complete breakdown in electricity supply to two of our members’ production facilities in the Netherlands. 2

that under the terms of our agreement ELEC is obliged to guarantee security of supply.

3 I spoke to one of ELEC´s engineers. He went into great technical

detail about power surges and outages in the surrounding areas. 4

that it was only due to our own circuit breakers that our plants were not severely damaged.

5 that his team was working around the clock to remedy the situation. He implied it was force majeure; this remains to be verified.

6 about the situation and are questioning whether ELEC can supply power to all our production locations throughout Europe.

7 we meet to discuss this most unfortunate state of affairs. I propose this meeting should take place at our headquarters in Rotterdam next week on Tuesday, April 17th at 10.00 a.m.

8.

9,

 

Dr. Paul Robben

Managing Director

AECP Energy Procurement Unit

20 | UNIT 2 Markets and customers

 

Write a reply to the letter on page 19 using phrases from the box.

If the crisis in the Netherlands happened to your company, how would it be resolved?

Work with a partner. Use the information in the Partner Files to do this role-play.

Paul phones Anna to talk about the agenda of their meeting. Prepare your roles and then role-play the telephone call. Use phrases for agreeing and disagreeing from page 8, and from the box below.

Partner A File 2, p. 56

Partner B File 8, p. 57

13
Discuss with a partner which statement describes the market your company operates in.