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 this week.
SSEN’s current weather model shows strong winds and heavy rain initially impacting Shetland on Wednesday morning. Wind speeds will gradually build during Thursday and Friday, with gusts of up to 70mph expected in the Shetland Isles. As the low pressure system moves north, strong winds and heavy rainfall are forecast to impact the Buchan coast, Caithness, the Black Isle and the Angus coast, with the potential for gusts to reach 50mph in these areas.
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.