Teams from Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN) have been out since first light this morning to resume efforts to reconnect the remaining homes still off supply following the impact of Storm Ali.

As of 12pm today, SSEN has successfully restored power to over 25,000 homes, with around 900 homes currently off supply. Some of those currently affected had their power restored yesterday, but SSEN has had to isolate supplies this morning to allow repairs to be completed safely. Mobile generation is being deployed to assist with restoration times and helicopters are on standby to help assess potential damage to SSEN's network. SSEN has also moved additional teams to the areas still affected to support restoration efforts, with all customers expected to have power restored throughout the course of today.

All customers who remained off supply overnight and into this morning were offered hot meals, breakfast and welfare provisions where required, and SSEN's teams continue to maintain contact with those still off supply to offer extra support and to provide regular updates.

Dale Cargill, Director of Customer Operations, said:

"I would like to thank our customers again for their patience as our teams continue to work hard to restore supplies to the final homes still impacted by Storm Ali. Our network stood up well to the extremely challenging weather and our teams did an excellent job, in often treacherous conditions, to restore power to the majority of homes yesterday."

"We continue to offer welfare provisions to those who remain off supply and if anyone has any concerns for themselves or others, particularly family members of neighbours who may need extra support, I would encourage them to give our teams a call on 105."

"I would also urge members of the public not to approach any damage to our equipment and instead, report it either by calling 105 or via our PowerTrack App and our teams will investigate as soon as possible."

Preparation for Storm Ali:

In preparation for Storm Ali, SSEN enacted its well-established resilience plans, increasing its standby resources in anticipation of potential damage to its network and moved its teams and equipment to the main areas due to be impacted.

  • Over 600 field staff are ready to respond promptly to damage to SSEN's network - this includes over 120 tree cutters
  • Mobile generation sets have been strategically deployed across SSEN's network region to assist with restoration efforts
  • Back-up generation stations on the inner Hebrides are on standby to help maintain supplies in the event of damage to circuits that supply the islands
  • Over 150 contact centre staff are available to respond promptly to customer enquiries
  • SSEN's teams have already proactively contacted over 125,000 Priority Service Customers to offer extra support where required
  • Welfare facilities, including catering vans, are on standby to support customers affected by potential disruptions to supplies
  • SSEN continues to liaise with local resilience partners to help coordinate efforts and ensure that everyone is prepared for any interruption to supplies should they occur

Customers are encouraged to be prepared for the possibility of disruption to supplies by:

  • Saving the new Freephone emergency power cut number '105' to your phone to use if your power goes off, or if you see any damage to the electricity network
  • Downloading SSEN's Power Track app to give you details of power cuts and restoration times and to report faults or damage to SSEN's network
  • Going to SSEN's website for advice and information on how to prepare for a possible loss of power, or to chat live to one of SSEN's advisors via its Webchat service
  • Following SSEN on Facebook and Twitter for regular updates

In the event of an interruption in power supplies, SSEN's customer service team will proactively contact customers on its Priority Services Register (PSR) to offer extra assistance, where required. People can qualify for the PSR if they:

  • Are dependent on electricity for home medical care
  • Have a chronic illness or short term medical condition
  • Are disabled
  • Have special communication needs
  • Have children under the age of five
  • Are over the age of 60

To find out more about the PSR, click here or call 0800 294 3259.