SSEN Distribution said on 8 July 2023 that it was preparing for unsettled weather that day, with additional teams in place to deal with any damage to its network and subsequent faults. The company said an elevated forecast of lightning carried the possibility of some interruptions to power supplies.
The network operator said it was urging people not to approach any damage to its equipment and instead to report it directly by calling 105, or through its Power Track website, so that engineers could investigate as soon as possible. It said customers could use Power Track for details of power cuts and restoration times, to report power cuts and network damage, to follow the progress of planned interruptions, and to find the nearest electric vehicle charge point if a vehicle needs charging during a power cut. It also pointed to updates on its Facebook page (ssencommunity) and to live chat with its advisors through its Webchat service.
"Due to this elevated forecast of lightning, which brings with it the possibility of some interruptions to power supplies, SSEN has additional teams in place to deal with any damage to the network and subsequent faults which may occur."
SSEN set out who is eligible for its Priority Services Register (PSR), which it describes as free extra help and support during a power cut. The listed groups are:
| Eligible for SSEN's Priority Services Register |
|---|
| People who are deaf or hard of hearing |
| People with a disability |
| Households with children under five |
| People who are blind or partially sighted |
| People with a chronic illness |
| People who use medical equipment or aids reliant on electricity |
| People over 60 |
The company said registering for Priority Services helps it to help customers when they need it most, and that all its priority services are free. It gave the PSR enquiry number as 0800 294 3259.
Why it matters for households
The warning covers SSEN Distribution's own network area, and the company has not said in this announcement which regions or how many households might be affected; that has not been reported. The practical effect for households in that area is the possibility of a loss of supply during the day, with restoration times published on Power Track. SSEN's stated position is that people should not go near damaged equipment and should report it on 105 or through Power Track, and that households in the groups listed above can register for free extra support during a power cut. Households can read more on storms and the electricity network, on getting a home ready for a loss of supply, and on who can join the Priority Services Register and what it gives.
What happens next
SSEN said its additional teams would deal with any damage to the network and subsequent faults that may occur, and that engineers would investigate reported damage as soon as possible. The company said it would post regular updates on its Facebook page (ssencommunity), and that Power Track would carry details of power cuts and restoration times. No further timetable has been reported.
Storms and the Electricity Grid
Getting Ready for a Power Cut
