Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN) said on 3 February 2022 that it had restored all reported customer faults following Storms Malik and Corrie. The distribution network operator said its teams reconnected over 120,000 homes in the north of Scotland after the two storms, which brought gusts of over 90mph to the region1.
Across both storms, SSEN's network experienced in excess of 450 high voltage network faults caused by fallen trees and wind-borne debris striking overhead power lines. SSEN said the intensity of the gusts, stronger than Storm Arwen in some locations, caused multiple damages to its infrastructure and required complex repairs1. The company reported over 46,000 calls to its customer contact centre and over 13,000 messages on its social media channels, and said it made over 54,000 proactive contacts to warn customers in advance of the storm1.
The areas named by SSEN differ between the two storms:
| Storm | Areas named by SSEN | Reported effect |
|---|---|---|
| Malik | Ballater, Braemar, Tarland, Kintore and Banchory in Aberdeenshire | Significant damage to the network in North East Scotland |
| Corrie | Stonehaven and Edzell | Worst of the storm, with record wind speeds recorded |
Richard Gough, Director of Distribution System Operations at SSEN, said:
"Our concentration and alert status remain the same for the time being as we focus on repairing the network damage needed for system resilience, but not affecting customer supplies."
SSEN said it would continue to deploy an enhanced workforce in the North East of Scotland ready to carry out further repairs and maintenance of mobile generators as required, and that teams would carry out remedial repairs and identify any further damage on its localised network1.
Why it matters for households
SSEN asked any customer still without power who had not already been in contact to report the power cut on 105, or through its Power Track app, so that engineers could investigate as soon as possible. It said this included customers returning to an unoccupied property1. The company urged customers not to approach any damage to its infrastructure and to report it on 105 or through the app instead1.
SSEN said its free Priority Services Register provides extra help and support during a power cut. It lists 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 support. The register can be reached on 0800 294 32591. SSEN describes itself as the distribution network operator responsible for delivering power to over 3.8 million homes and businesses across central southern England and the north of Scotland1.
Households can read more on how storms affect the electricity network, on why the electricity goes off and on how Britain's electricity network is run. The Priority Services Register page explains who can join and what it gives, and there is guidance on checking that a caller from the electricity network is genuine and on looking after a fish tank without electricity. The power cuts hub carries the wider background.
What happens next
SSEN said its alert status would remain the same for the time being while it repaired network damage affecting system resilience but not customer supplies, and that it had contacted all customers involved in the day's power restoration activities1. No further dates have been reported.
Storms and the Electricity Grid
