Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN) Distribution is moving to Weather Warning status in preparation for a period of unsettled weather which could impact the electricity network in the north of Scotland on Wednesday and Thursday this week.

SSEN’s current weather model shows strong winds, heavy rain and lightning building in the west of Scotland from midday on Wednesday, with gusts of up to 55mph expected in Kintyre, Islay, Mull, Tiree and Skye. As the low pressure system moves across north throughout the day, strong winds will continue across the Central Belt, Aberdeenshire and Moray. Peak gusts of up to 65mph are expected across Argyll and North West Highland from 8pm on Wednesday, remaining strong across the network area overnight before gradually easing by mid-afternoon on Thursday.

In preparation, we have enacted our well-established resilience plans, and are increasing and moving additional resources to key locations in anticipation of any potential damage. Our dedicated customer contact teams are proactively contacting customers on our Priority Services Register to offer additional advice and support.

We’ll continue to monitor weather forecasts and provide updates if the situation changes.

Advice for customers

We are urging people not to approach any damaged equipment and instead, to report it by calling 105 or via our Power Track App and engineers will investigate as soon as possible.

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

  • Saving the 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. You can also report power cuts and network damage through the Power Track app
  • Going to SSEN’s website where there is a wealth of advice and information on how to prepare for a possible loss of power
  • Following SSEN on Facebook and Twitter for regular updates

Priority Services Register

SSEN’s Priority Services Register (PSR) provides extra help and support during a power cut. Customers are eligible for our free priority services if they:

  • Are deaf or hard of hearing
  • Have a disability
  • Live with children under five
  • Are blind or partially sighted
  • Have a chronic illness
  • Use medical equipment/aids reliant on electricity
  • Are over 60
  • Temporarily need extra support

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

About this author

Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks

Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks

We are the electricity Distribution Network Operator (DNO) responsible for delivering power to over 3.8 million homes and businesses across central southern England and the north of Scotland. We serve some of the most diverse and unique geographies across the UK, and keep customers and communities connected whilst developing the flexible electricity network vital to achieving net zero.