SSEN Distribution moved to Weather Warning status on 8 February 2022 in anticipation of gale force winds forecast to move across its north of Scotland operating region from the early hours of Thursday morning1. The company is the electricity Distribution Network Operator responsible for delivering power to over 3.8 million homes and businesses across central southern England and the north of Scotland1.
Winds in excess of 80mph are expected in the Western Isles, North West Highland and the central Highlands1. As the low pressure system moves across the north of Scotland through the morning and into the afternoon, winds will increase across Tayside, Angus and Aberdeenshire, with gusts expected around 65mph, and there may also be some isolated pockets of 70mph gusts in places1.
| Area | Forecast gusts |
|---|---|
| Western Isles, North West Highland, central Highlands | In excess of 80mph |
| Tayside, Angus, Aberdeenshire | Around 65mph, with isolated pockets of 70mph |
SSEN said it had enacted its well-established resilience plans and was both increasing and moving additional resources to key locations in anticipation of any potential damage, and that it was in contact with local resilience partners to aid preparations1.
"If you see any damaged equipment, please keep a safe distance and report it to us by calling 105 or via our Power Track App, and engineers will investigate as soon as possible."
SSEN encouraged customers to be prepared for the possibility of disruption to supplies by saving the emergency power cut number, 105, to their phone to report power cuts or damage to the electricity network; downloading its Power Track app, which provides details of power cuts and restoration times and allows customers to report power cuts and network damage; visiting its website for advice on dealing with a power cut or to chat live to an advisor via Webchat; and following SSEN on Facebook and Twitter for regular updates1.
Why it matters for households
The warning covers households across the north of Scotland, with the strongest winds forecast for the Western Isles, North West Highland and the central Highlands from the early hours of Thursday, and gusts building across Tayside, Angus and Aberdeenshire later in the morning and into the afternoon1. Damage to overhead equipment in these conditions can interrupt supplies, and SSEN asked anyone who sees damaged equipment to keep a safe distance and report it on 105 or through its Power Track app1. Households can read more on storms and the electricity network and on power cuts.
SSEN listed the groups eligible for its Priority Services Register: customers 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; are over 60; or are categorised at high risk or extremely high risk of severe illness from coronavirus1. The company gave 0800 294 3259 as the number for more information1. The Priority Services Register guide sets out who can join and what it provides.
What happens next
SSEN said it would continue to monitor weather forecasts and provide updates if the situation changes, and that it would continue to monitor the weather as forecasts change and update its plans accordingly1. No further timetable for updates has been reported.
Storms and the Electricity Grid
