SSEN Distribution moved to Weather Warning status on 15 November 2022 in preparation for unsettled weather that could affect the electricity network in the north of Scotland, the network operator announced. The company said its weather model showed strong winds and heavy rain reaching Shetland first.
Wind speeds are expected to build gradually during Thursday and Friday, with gusts of up to 70mph expected in the Shetland Isles1. As the low pressure system moves north, strong winds and heavy rainfall are forecast to affect the Buchan coast, Caithness, the Black Isle and the Angus coast, with the potential for gusts to reach 50mph in those areas1.
| Area | Forecast |
|---|---|
| Shetland | Strong winds and heavy rain from Wednesday morning; gusts of up to 70mph during Thursday and Friday |
| Buchan coast, Caithness, Black Isle, Angus coast | Strong winds and heavy rainfall as the low pressure system moves north; potential for gusts to reach 50mph |
SSEN said it had enacted its resilience plans and was increasing and moving additional resources to key locations in anticipation of possible damage, and that its customer contact teams were proactively contacting customers on its Priority Services Register to offer additional advice and support1. 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 following its social media accounts for updates1. The company's advice on preparing for a possible loss of power is set out on its website1. Households preparing for storm disruption can read our guide to storms and the electricity network, and drivers facing high winds on exposed routes may find our guidance on driving safely in strong winds useful.
Why it matters for households
Households across Shetland, the Buchan coast, Caithness, the Black Isle and the Angus coast may see disruption to electricity supplies from Wednesday 16 November 2022, with the strongest winds forecast for Thursday and Friday. SSEN advises anyone who finds damaged equipment not to approach it and to report it on 105 or through its Power Track app1.
SSEN's free Priority Services Register provides extra help and support during a power cut. According to the company, customers are eligible if they 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 temporarily need extra support1. The company can be contacted about the register on 0800 294 32591. Our guide explains who can join the Priority Services Register and what it gives.
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. Households can follow developments through our power cuts hub and the storms and snow hub.
Storms and the Electricity Grid
