SSEN Distribution moved to Weather Warning status on 28 January 2023 in preparation for unsettled weather forecast to affect the north of Scotland from the early hours of Tuesday. The network operator, which delivers power to over 3.8 million homes and businesses across central southern England and the north of Scotland1, said its weather model showed a low-pressure system bringing severe gales to the Western Isles from around midnight on Monday night1.
As the front tracks east, strong winds are forecast to affect the North West Highlands, southern Argyll, Skye, Caithness, the Black Isle, Moray, Aberdeenshire, Orkney and Shetland, with gusts of over 70mph in exposed and coastal areas and 50-70mph inland1.
| Area | Forecast in SSEN's weather model |
|---|---|
| Western Isles | Severe gales from around midnight on Monday night |
| North West Highlands, southern Argyll, Skye, Caithness, the Black Isle, Moray, Aberdeenshire, Orkney, Shetland | Strong winds, gusts over 70mph exposed and coastal, 50-70mph inland |
SSEN said it had enacted its resilience plans and was increasing and moving additional resources to key locations in anticipation of possible damage to the electricity network1. Its customer service teams were proactively contacting customers on its Priority Services Register, with around 30,000 customers across Orkney, Dingwall, Wick, Inverness, Skye, Western Isles, Argyll & West Highland and Oban already contacted1. The company said it would continue to monitor forecasts and provide updates if the situation changed1.
"We are urging people not to approach any damaged equipment and instead, to report it by calling 105 or via our Power Track App and engineers will investigate as soon as possible"
SSEN encouraged customers to prepare for possible disruption to supplies by saving the emergency power cut number, 105, to their phone, downloading its Power Track app for details of power cuts and restoration times and to report faults, checking its website for advice on preparing for a possible loss of power, and following its social media accounts for updates1. It said its 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 support1. The register can be reached on 0800 294 32591.
Why it matters for households
Households across the north of Scotland, from the Western Isles and Argyll to Moray, Aberdeenshire, Orkney and Shetland, could see power cuts from around midnight on Monday night into Tuesday, with the strongest gusts expected in exposed and coastal areas1. SSEN has already contacted around 30,000 priority services customers in its patch1. The company's advice is not to approach damaged equipment and to report it on 105 or through its app1. Households can read more on storms and the electricity network, on preparing a home and garden for high winds and on the Priority Services Register, including 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 changes1. No further timetable for updates has been reported.
Storms and the Electricity Grid
Preparing for High Winds
