Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN) said on 1 January 2024 that it was activating its contingency plans and standing up additional teams ahead of a storm expected to affect central southern England from early morning until the evening of 2 January. The network operator said the strong winds would be accompanied by persistent, heavy rain, and that the Met Office had also issued warnings.
SSEN said its current weather model showed a likelihood of south-westerly and westerly gusts in excess of 55mph inland and over 60mph in coastal areas and higher ground. The company said the additional teams were being stood up to deal with any damage to the network and subsequent faults, which may affect customers' power supplies. It said it would continue to monitor the storm closely and issue further updates depending on the forecast.
"The current weather model shows a likelihood of south-westerly and westerly gusts in excess of 55mph inland and over 60mph in coastal areas and higher ground."
SSEN asked anyone who sees damage to its equipment to stay back, not touch it, and report it by calling 105, or via its Power Track website, so that engineers can investigate as soon as possible. It encouraged customers to save the emergency power cut number, 105, to their phones to report any loss of supply or damage to the electricity network, and to use Power Track for details of power cuts and restoration times. The company said Power Track also shows the progress of planned interruptions and can find the nearest EV charge point for electric vehicle owners who need to charge during a power cut.
SSEN said customers are eligible for its Priority Services Register if they:
| Criteria for SSEN Priority Services Register1 |
|---|
| 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 |
The company said all its priority services are free, and that registering helps it to help customers when they need it most. It gave 0800 294 3259 as the number for finding out more about the register.
Why it matters for households
Households across central southern England may see disruption to electricity supplies from early morning until the evening of 2 January, with gusts forecast above 55mph inland and above 60mph in coastal areas and higher ground, accompanied by persistent heavy rain. SSEN has extra teams in place to respond to damage and faults. The company asks anyone who sees damage to its equipment to stay back, not touch it and report it on 105. It encourages households to save 105 to their phones, to check Power Track for power cuts and restoration times, and to follow its Facebook page (ssencommunity) for updates. Households meeting the Priority Services Register criteria can register for extra support during a power cut, which SSEN says is free. The Met Office has also issued warnings, though details of those warnings have not been reported here. Drivers facing strong winds can read the guide to driving safely in strong winds, and households wanting general background can see the storms and snow hub and the staying informed hub.
What happens next
SSEN said it will continue to monitor the storm closely as it develops and issue further updates depending on the forecast.
