Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN) published details on 28 January 2025 of the compensation and support available to customers who lost power during Storm Éowyn, as its engineers continued reconnecting those still off supply1.
Under the scheme, customers without power for more than 48 hours are entitled to £85, plus a further £40 for every additional six hours beyond that point. SSEN says this payment is automatic: "Customers don't need to claim for this or contact us; it will be issued automatically in the coming weeks."1
Separately, the company's own support package covers food and accommodation. Customers off supply for more than 12 hours are entitled to £30 per person for every day without power, to cover food and drink, and SSEN asks people to keep receipts and claim the costs back1. Customers on the Priority Services Register can claim reasonable costs for alternative accommodation after more than 24 hours off supply; where a power cut has lasted beyond 48 hours, all customers can claim this support, in the same way as for food and drink1.
| Support | Who qualifies | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Automatic compensation | More than 48 hours off supply | £85, plus £40 per additional 6 hours |
| Food and drink | More than 12 hours off supply | £30 per person per day, claimed with receipts |
| Alternative accommodation | Priority Services Register customers after 24 hours; all customers after 48 hours | Reasonable costs, claimed |
SSEN asks customers to submit claims by the end of February 2025 "if you are able"1. The company says its 105 Power Cut helpline operates 24/7 for help, advice and support, and asks anyone who sees damage to its equipment to stay back, not touch it, and report it on 105 or through its Power Track website1.
"Éowyn's severity means that customers who have been without power for more than 48 hours will be entitled to £85 compensation, and a further £40 for every additional 6 hours past this point."
Why it matters for households
The payments apply to SSEN customers who lost power in Storm Éowyn, and the automatic £85 and £40 payments require no action from households. The food and accommodation elements do require claims, with receipts, by the end of February 20251. SSEN lists as eligible for its free Priority Services Register people who 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, or are over 60; the register gives extra help during a power cut and can be joined on 0800 294 32591. Households can track faults in their area on SSEN's Power Track map, and the company encourages customers to save the 105 number and follow its updates on Facebook and Twitter1.
What happens next
SSEN says the automatic compensation will be issued in the coming weeks, and asks that food and accommodation claims are submitted by the end of February 2025 where customers are able1. Reconnection work for customers still off supply was continuing when the guidance was published1.
For practical background, see the guide to extra help from network operators during long outages, the Priority Services Register, storms and the electricity network and how long until the electricity comes back, or the power cuts hub.
Sources (1)
- Storm Éowyn compensation guide - SSEN, ssen.co.uk
Extra Help During Long Outages
Storms and the Electricity Grid
How Long Until Power Returns
