SSEN is now reconnecting the 900 customers who lost power during Storm Éowyn after aiding more than 90,000 since Friday.
Hundreds of engineers are on the network to reconnect the remaining households who are still without power, with work being undertaken late into Monday evening before recommencing before dawn today. In total, SSEN currently has 10 times its normal staffing levels.
Those still without power are mainly in communities in Argyll and Bute, where a red weather warning was issued and damaging wind caused ‘very serious’ and widespread damage to the network.
Large welfare operations are underway in the impacted communities, with cafés serving free hot meals and drinks to customers on SSEN’s behalf, as well as mobile vans providing food too. In total, over 2,000 meals have already been provided.
SSEN is also coordinating door knocking to check in on vulnerable customers, and a dedicated team is making telephone calls to offer further specialised help and support while reconnection works are completed.
The organisation explained that customers have been provided with realistic estimates of when they can expect to be reconnected. The vast majority of these times have not changed since they were initially provided, and in some cases, customers have been reconnected ahead of estimates.
SSEN added that it estimates that most of the customers still awaiting reconnection will have their supplies restored by the end of Tuesday. In the relatively few cases where this might not be possible, welfare and customer care teams will get in touch to offer further support.
Andy Smith, SSEN’s director of customer operations for the north of Scotland, said,
“This storm has been the most destructive for parts of our network in many years, and rebuilding damaged overhead lines has been a huge task. While we’ve done this, we’ve done all we can to be there for our customers, whether it’s been at the end of the phone, or through the extensive welfare provision we’ve put in place in communities.
“I’m grateful to customers for their patience and understanding while we work to reconnect the last remaining homes, and I’d like to draw their attention to the hot food provision that’s in place, and the compensation they can apply for.”
