Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks continues to respond to the ongoing impact on the electricity network caused by Storm Darragh. As of 8:30pm this evening, supplies have been restored to 47,000 customers in central southern England. Work is currently ongoing to reconnect a further 19,000 homes and businesses in this region, after sustained severe winds this evening continued to cause further faults on the network.
Our response
We have additional resources in place throughout the weekend to respond to faults as they occur. Prior to Storm Darragh arriving, we’d bolstered our usual weekend staffing levels ten-fold, with hundreds of extra team members contributing to our response, with some coming from as far as Scotland to support our operation.
Our Customer Contact Centre Team has spoken to more than 25,000 of our Priority Service Register customers to provide any advice and support they need, including additional measures for those who're most vulnerable.
In areas where the power has been off for longer periods, we’ve deployed food vans to provide affected residents with free hot meals and drinks, and we’ve already provided more than 700 free meals to customers. Details of the locations of food vans are being shared on Facebook and X, and text messages are being sent to customers in the relevant areas.
We continue to respond to all known faults and expect many to be fixed by the end of tonight; it’s our intention for the remainder to be restored tomorrow, though the ongoing severe weather does mean further faults are likely. Latest restoration times for each fault are being updated on SSEN’s Power Track website and app.
The weather conditions
Storm Darragh is by far the worst storm of this winter so far. During Saturday, gusts of 75 mph were recorded in Portland, 71 mph in Yeovil, 64 mph on the Isle of Wight and 61 mph in Odiham.
A Met Office Yellow Warning is due to remain in place for central southern England until 6:00pm on Sunday evening, and our own weather forecasters expect sustained wind speeds of above 50 mph to persist overnight and through Sunday.
Conditions for making repairs on the network have been challenging, with some roads being blocked by fallen trees, and wind speeds at times being too high to allow safe working at height.
Support for our customers
As part of a wider support package, customers who have had no 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 receipts and claim costs back at www.ssen.co.uk/stormclaim
Keeping in touch
The easiest way to track your power cut is to use the PowerTrack app and website.
We’re aware of some issues with the ‘Power Cut 105’ telephone line, which currently isn't directing all callers through to their own network operator. The Energy Networks Association, which manages this service on behalf of electricity networks, is urgently investigating this matter.
If you’re trying to reach us but are being redirected, you can also contact us via WhatsApp, Facebook, or our alternative freephone number – 0800 0727 282.
Eliane Algaard, Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks’ Director of Customer Operations for central southern England, says:
“We’ve seen sustained strong winds across our region throughout Saturday, and the damage caused has affected customers’ supplies.
“After having successfully reconnected tens of thousands of our customers, through remote switching that’s been carried out from our control room, our focus throughout the day has been to repair the considerable damage the storm has caused on the network itself.
“The conditions for doing this have been extremely challenging; it’s been difficult to get to some locations as fallen trees have blocked roads, and in several cases, the wind speeds have been too strong for our line crews to safely work at height. But we’re making good progress with repairs and continue to do so this evening.
“I’d like to thank everyone for their patience while we work hard to get everyone back on as safely and as quickly as we can.”
📞 Help and advice
Whilst this severe weather continues, customers are also encouraged to be prepared for the possibility of disruption to supplies by:
- Saving SSEN's own emergency power cut number - 0800 0727 282 - to your phone to report any loss of supply or damage to the electricity network
- 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
As part of our customer support package, those 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.
⚠️ If you see any damage to our equipment, please stay back, don’t touch it and instead report it to us directly by calling 0800 0727 282, and engineers will investigate as soon as possible.
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.
Power Track
Support during a power cut
To keep updated with any power cuts across our network, we are encouraging our customers to save the emergency power cut number 105 and to follow us on Facebook and Twitter (ssencommunity) for regular updates.
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Priority Services Register
We all rely on electricity day to day for various things, but for some, a power cut can be worrying or difficult. That’s why we offer extra help and support during a power cut. Registering for our Priority Services helps us to help you when you need it most. All our priority services are free. -
View our tips and advice to help you during a power cut
Dealing with a power cut
If you are currently experiencing a power cut, we know this can be a difficult time. That's why wee've put together some helpful tips and advice to help you during a power cut. You can also download our useful resources to share with your family, friends, and neighbours. -
Report a power cut or damage to our network through our map
Power Track
You can stay updated and track the progress of any faults in your area on our Power Track map or report damage to our network. You can also follow the progress of planned interruptions as well as find the nearest EV charge point if you have an electric vehicle that needs charging during a power cut.