Storm Gerrit – 11.00am update from SSEN Distribution

Teams from Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN) Distribution continue to make good progress in restoring power to customers in the north of Scotland following Storm Gerrit.

As of 10.45am this morning, supplies have been successfully restored to more than 34,000 customers, with around 7,700 properties currently off supply, mainly due to faults which occurred later on Wednesday. 

This figure also includes 2,300 customers in Shetland who lost supplies early this morning. Shetland was the last part of Scotland impacted by Gerrit, and a wind gust of 83mph was recorded in Lerwick.  This was the strongest wind gust the islands have seen in seven years. 

Regional summary

 
The widespread damage, and the challenges accessing faults due to fallen trees, flooding and road closures, mean that full network restoration will take time. It is expected the majority of homes will be reconnected today, but some customers in rural areas will be off supply for up to 48 hours, particularly in the northeast which felt the brunt of Storm Gerrit later on Wednesday.

Following assessment of overnight damage, including helicopter patrols, updated restoration estimates are being supplied to customers though SSEN’s Power Track website, and text alerts.

SSEN knows the impact this storm is having on its customers and continues to work closely with local resilience partners to coordinate welfare arrangements and identify customers who may benefit from additional support.  SSEN has proactively contacted over 50,000 customers on its Priority Services Register and continues to visit and telephone the most vulnerable among them to check in and offer help.

Additional teams to repair the network were mobilised from first thing on Wednesday and worked late into the night.  This morning, welfare vans serving hot food and drink are open in locations where work is ongoing to restore supplies. These can be found at the following locations.

*   The Riggs car park, Fort Augustus, PH32 4DF
*   Burnfield car park, Burnfield Ave, Grantown-on-Spey, PH26 3HH
*   Finzean Hall, Banchory, AB31 6LY
*   Hatton of Fintray, Aberdeenshire, AB21 0YG
*   The Square, Tarland, AB34 4YL
*   Bellabeg, Strathdon (opposite the local shop) AB36 8UL
*   The Public Hall, High Street, Sandhaven, Fraserburgh, AB43 7EQ
*   Aberlour Parish Church car park, 7 Victoria Terrace, AB38 9PW
*   The car park beside the football pitch, Halkirk, KW12 6YJ 
*   Bridge of Cally Village Hall, Braemar Road, PH10 7JL

As part of SSEN’s support package, customers who will be without power for more than 12 hours are entitled to £30 per person for every day without power, to cover the cost of food and drink. People should keep hold of their receipts and claim costs back at www.ssen.co.uk/stormclaim

In addition, customers on our Priority Service Register can claim reasonable costs for alternative accommodation if it is expected they will be without power for over 24 hours. Support with booking accommodation can be provided if needed.

Andy Smith, Operations Director at SSEN Distribution, said:

“Our teams continue to make really good progress in restoring power following the significant impact of Storm Gerrit. I know it’s caused problems for our customers, and I’m grateful to them for their patience.  I’d like to reassure customers we’ve got every resource at our disposal out there, fixing faults on the network.

“Adverse conditions on the roads hampered our efforts last night, but thankfully conditions have improved this morning and we’re making progress with the work that needs to be done.

“But it will take time to complete all repairs. Some customers in rural areas where there are multiple points of damage, will be without power until Friday.

“Welfare provision is now available in a number of affected areas, and we’re speaking to our most vulnerable customers to offer them specific support. Anyone who may need additional help or advice should contact our dedicated teams on the power cut helpline, 105.”

A further update will be provided later this afternoon.

If you see any damage to our equipment, please stay back, don’t touch it and instead report it to us directly by calling 105, or via our Power Track Website, 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 report any loss of supply or damage to the electricity network
• Visiting our Power Track Website to give you details of power cuts and restoration times. You can also report power cuts and network damage through Power Track.
• Visiting the "Preparing for a power cut" section on our website, where there is a wealth of advice and information, or to chat live to one of our advisors via the Webchat service

Customers are also eligible for our Priority Services Register (PSR) 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.

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