SSEN Distribution issued a weather warning for the north of Scotland on 12 June 2023, forecasting heavy rainfall and lightning across Argyll, west and central Highlands and north east Scotland from lunchtime into the early evening1. The network operator said it had cancelled all major planned outages across the north of Scotland that day as a precaution and put additional teams in place to deal with any damage to the network and subsequent faults1.
The company said the elevated lightning forecast carried the possibility of some interruptions to power supplies1. It urged people not to approach any damage to its equipment and to report it directly by calling 105 or through its Power Track app, with engineers to investigate as soon as possible1.
"SSEN has cancelled all major planned outages across the north of Scotland today as a precaution and has additional teams in place to deal with any damage to the network and subsequent faults which may occur"
SSEN also encouraged customers to save the emergency power cut number, 105, to their phones to report loss of supply or damage to the electricity network, and to download its Power Track app for details of power cuts and restoration times, through which cuts and network damage can also be reported1. It pointed customers to its website for advice on dealing with a power cut and to a live webchat service, and to its Facebook and Twitter accounts for regular updates1.
The company listed the groups eligible for its Priority Services Register: people who 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 or aids reliant on electricity, or are over 601. It gave 0800 294 3259 as the number for finding out more about the register1.
Why it matters for households
Households across Argyll, the west and central Highlands and north east Scotland were told to expect possible interruptions to supply from lunchtime into the early evening of 12 June 2023, with lightning the main concern1. Planned interruptions in the north of Scotland were cancelled for the day, so work scheduled for that day did not go ahead1. SSEN's guidance was that anyone finding damage to its equipment should not approach it but report it on 105 or through the Power Track app1. Households that meet the Priority Services Register criteria can register for the support it provides, and SSEN gives 0800 294 3259 for enquiries about it1. The Priority Services Register guide sets out who can join and what it provides, and the storms and electricity network guide explains how storm conditions affect overhead supplies. The planned interruptions guide covers why planned work is scheduled and how households can prepare, and the power cuts hub collects the site's related guidance.
What happens next
SSEN said its engineers would investigate reported damage as soon as possible1. No further update on the weather warning or on when cancelled planned outages would be rescheduled has been reported.
Storms and the Electricity Grid
