Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN) issued a weather warning for its central southern England distribution area on 11 August 2022, as the Met Office issued an Amber warning for extreme heat from Friday 12 August through to Monday 15 August1. SSEN said its operational teams would be ready to restore power to affected customers as quickly as possible, where it is safe to do so, if supplies are disrupted1.
The company said there is an extreme fire risk for this period1. It urged people not to approach any damage to its equipment and to report it by calling the free-phone emergency 105 number or via the Power Track App, with engineers attending the site to investigate as soon as possible1. On fire, SSEN said:
SSEN describes itself as the electricity Distribution Network Operator (DNO) responsible for delivering power to over 3.8 million homes and businesses across central southern England and the north of Scotland1. The warning covers the central southern England distribution area only1.
SSEN said it was checking in with customers on the highest categories of its Priority Services Register (PSR) to reassure them that measures are in place for any potential interruptions to power and to offer extra support if needed1. The register provides extra help and support during a power cut, and SSEN lists eligibility as follows1:
| Customers eligible for SSEN's free priority services |
|---|
| 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 |
| Temporarily need extra support |
SSEN directed customers to find out more about the PSR on its website or by calling 0800 294 32591. It also linked to NHS guidance on coping in hot weather and to the Met Office forecast and warnings page1.
Why it matters for households
The warning period runs from Friday 12 August to Monday 15 August 2022 and applies to households and businesses on SSEN's central southern England network, which the company says supplies over 3.8 million homes and businesses in that area and the north of Scotland1. During the same period the Met Office Amber warning for extreme heat is in force, and SSEN flags an extreme fire risk1. Households on the Priority Services Register, including those who use medical equipment reliant on electricity, are being contacted by SSEN at the highest categories1. SSEN's stated position is that people should not approach damage to its equipment, should report it on 105 or the Power Track App, and should stay clear of any fire near infrastructure and contact the emergency services1. The NHS guidance linked by SSEN covers coping in hot weather1. For background on how services respond to heat alerts, see the Adverse Weather and Health Plan; on keeping cool when power fails, see how to keep cool during a power cut in hot weather; and on communications during an outage, see mobile networks in a power cut. The wider subject is covered in the heatwaves and drought hub and the staying informed hub.
What happens next
SSEN said its engineers would attend reported damage and investigate as soon as possible, and that operational teams would restore power where it is safe to do so1. No further dates beyond the 12 to 15 August warning period were given1.
