Storm Otto leaves around 16,000 properties off supply in north east Scotland

Storm Otto brought sustained storm-force winds across the north of Scotland from around 4am on 7 February 2023, tracking further south than forecast, and caused a significant number of faults on SSEN's high voltage network from fallen trees, branches and windblown debris¹. In its 4.30pm update, SSEN Distribution reported that supplies had been restored to over 27,000 properties, with around 16,000 still off supply³.

The areas still affected at that point were mainly in Aberdeenshire, including parts of Hatton, Huntly, Insch, Maud, Mintlaw, Banchory and surrounding areas, rural Moray and pockets of customers across the Highlands³. Earlier in the day, SSEN had put the main areas impacted as Aberdeenshire, Moray and Inverness-shire, with higher than predicted wind gusts of 85mph in some inland areas¹. At 11am it reported over 10,000 properties restored and 30,000 off supply¹.

SSEN said around 600 field and support staff were working to restore power, with mobile generation used to support restoration and helicopters on standby to assess damage once safe to fly³. It said full restoration would extend into the weekend, with some customers in rural areas off supply for more than 48 hours, because of the widespread damage and difficulty reaching faults through fallen trees and road closures³.

Mark Rough, Operations Director at SSEN Distribution, said:

SSEN said mobile food vans were being deployed to the main areas still off supply, coordinated with local resilience partners, with provisions being established in Cruden Bay, Huntly, Aberchirder, Hatton, Daviot Village, Craigievar School, Insch, Mintlaw and Maud and expected to be serving food from around 5pm³. Under its welfare policy, any customer off supply for longer than 12 hours is entitled to claim up to £30 for food per day, and customers are asked to keep copies of receipts for any claims³.

Why it matters for households

The disruption was concentrated in north east Scotland, and SSEN said some rural customers would remain off supply for more than 48 hours, into the weekend³. SSEN said it had proactively contacted over 130,000 customers on its Priority Services Register and was calling those in the highest categories of vulnerability to check on their welfare and provide additional support³. The register provides extra help and support during a power cut, and SSEN lists eligibility as including 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, are over 60, or temporarily need extra support; it can be reached on 0800 294 3259³. Further detail is in our guide to the Priority Services Register.

SSEN urged people not to approach any damaged equipment and instead to report it by calling 105 or via its Power Track app, and encouraged customers to save the emergency power cut number 105 to their phone, use Power Track for details of power cuts and restoration times, and follow SSEN on Facebook and Twitter for updates³. Our guides to storms and the electricity network and to power cuts set out how household supplies are affected and restored.

What happens next

SSEN said updated restoration times would be provided to all customers off supply from early afternoon on 7 February, so that those likely to be off for a prolonged period could consider making alternative arrangements¹. Its next update was due at 10pm that evening³.