Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN) said that, as of 4.30pm on 7 February 2023, electricity supplies had been restored to over 27,000 properties, with around 16,000 properties still off supply following Storm Otto1. The company said mobile food vans were being deployed to the main areas still off supply, with locations coordinated with local resilience partners and food expected to be served from around 5pm1.
The areas still affected were mainly concentrated in Aberdeenshire, including parts of Hatton, Huntly, Insch, Maud, Mintlaw, Banchory and surrounding areas, rural Moray and pockets of customers across the Highlands1. SSEN said around 600 field and support staff were working to restore power, and that full restoration would extend into the weekend, with some customers in rural areas off supply for more than 48 hours because of widespread damage and difficulty reaching faults caused by fallen trees and road closures1.
The food vans were being set up at the following locations1:
| Location | Meeting point |
|---|---|
| Cruden Bay | Main Street Bay |
| Huntly | Car Park at Market Muir |
| Aberchirder | Car Park at the Square |
| Hatton | Car Park beside the Village Hall |
| Daviot Village | Outside the Village Hall |
| Craigievar School | Car Park in the School |
| Insch | Outside the Church |
| Mintlaw | Macbi Community Hub Car Park |
| Maud | Market Street outside the Social Club |
SSEN said it had proactively contacted over 130,000 customers on its Priority Services Register and was calling those in the highest categories of vulnerability to check on their welfare and provide additional support1. In line with its welfare policy, any customer off supply for longer than 12 hours was entitled to claim up to £30 for food per day, and customers were asked to keep copies of receipts for any claims1.
"We continue to work closely with our resilience partners to support our customers as required, particularly those on our Priority Services Register, and are now ramping up our welfare provisions, including deploying food vans being to the main areas still affected."
Why it matters for households
Around 16,000 properties remained without electricity on the afternoon of 7 February, mostly in Aberdeenshire, rural Moray and parts of the Highlands, and SSEN said some rural customers would be off supply for more than 48 hours, with full restoration extending into the weekend1. Households off supply for more than 12 hours could claim up to £30 per day for food under SSEN's welfare policy, with receipts kept for claims1. SSEN urged people not to approach damaged equipment and to report it by calling 105 or through its Power Track app1. It also encouraged customers to save the emergency power cut number, 105, to their phone, to use Power Track for details of power cuts and restoration times, and to follow SSEN on Facebook and Twitter for updates1. SSEN said its free Priority Services Register provides extra help and support during a power cut, and listed eligibility as being deaf or hard of hearing, having a disability, living with children under five, being blind or partially sighted, having a chronic illness, using medical equipment or aids reliant on electricity, being over 60, or temporarily needing extra support; the register can be reached on 0800 294 32591. The power cuts hub sets out what to expect when supplies fail, and the guide to the Priority Services Register explains who can join and what it provides.
What happens next
SSEN said its next update would be provided at 10pm on 7 February 20231. Locations and timings for the food vans were to be updated on SSEN's website and social media channels1.
Sources (1)
- Storm Otto, 4:30pm update - SSEN, ssen.co.uk
