Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN) Distribution moved to Yellow Alert status on 28 January 2022 ahead of gale force winds forecast to affect the North of Scotland on Saturday morning and again from Sunday afternoon into Monday morning1. The Saturday front, named Storm Malik by the Danish Meteorological Institute, was expected to bring winds in excess of 70mph in the West and North West including the Western Isles, gusts of 80mph in Shetland and up to 65mph in other parts of SSEN's operating region1.
A second weather front on Sunday afternoon was expected to bring gusts of 85mph in the Western Isles and North West Highlands, with potential gusts of up to 70mph on the west coast and in the North East1.
| Area | Forecast winds |
|---|---|
| Shetland (Saturday) | Gusts of 80mph |
| Other parts of SSEN's operating region (Saturday) | Up to 65mph |
| Western Isles and North West Highlands (Sunday afternoon) | Gusts of 85mph |
| West coast and North East (Sunday afternoon) | Potential gusts of up to 70mph |
SSEN said it had enacted its resilience plans and was increasing and moving additional resources to key locations, including teams from its central southern England licence area, and was in contact with local resilience partners1. It said proactive texts had been sent to over 59,000 customers on its Priority Services Register, with advisors also calling those registered in the highest category of vulnerability1.
"If you see any damaged equipment, please keep a safe distance and report it to us by calling 105 or via our Power Track App, and engineers will investigate as soon as possible."
SSEN encouraged customers to save the emergency power cut number, 105, to report power cuts or damage to the electricity network, and to use its Power Track app for details of power cuts and restoration times1. It said customers are eligible for the Priority Services Register if they 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, or are categorised at high or extremely high risk of severe illness from coronavirus1. The register can be reached on 0800 294 32591. SSEN describes itself as the electricity Distribution Network Operator delivering power to over 3.8 million homes and businesses across central southern England and the north of Scotland1.
Why it matters for households
Households across the West and North West of Scotland, the Western Isles, Shetland, the North West Highlands, the west coast and the North East were facing possible disruption to electricity supplies from Saturday morning, with a second period of strong winds from Sunday afternoon into Monday morning1. SSEN's alert covers the possibility of damage to the network and power cuts, and its Priority Services Register offers advance contact for households that meet its eligibility criteria1. SSEN asked anyone who sees damaged equipment to keep a safe distance and report it on 105 or through its Power Track app1. For households travelling during the winds, our guide to driving safely in strong winds sets out the hazards, and the storms and snow hub covers wider preparation.
What happens next
SSEN said it would continue to monitor weather forecasts and provide updates if the situation changed, and would update its plans as forecasts changed1.
Driving in Strong Winds
