Highland help from power giant as winter sets in

Highlanders are being urged by Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks to prepare for the colder months coming with their potential disruptions to electricity supplies.

"SSEN owns and operates the electricity distribution networks in the north of Scotland and works 24 hours a day, 365 days a year to maintain, upgrade and invest in its networks to deliver a safe and secure supply of electricity to its customers," said Colin Nicol, MD of Networks.

"This year, we're investing around £220 million to upgrade and strengthen the overhead lines, underground cables, electricity poles and substations delivering power to over 3.8 million customers, with approximately £10 million invested in automated technology to minimise disruption when faults occur.

"While SSEN has well established resilience plans and is fully prepared for whatever extremities this year’s weather may bring, customers are being encouraged to take some simple, practical steps to be ready together with SSEN to strengthen their resilience."

Top of the list is signing up to the company's free Priority Services Register, or finding out if a friend or family member could benefit from the scheme, that supports customers who may need extra help during a power cut.

Customers can download the free Power Track app, which provides live updates on faults and restoration times.

They can also report power cuts and network damage directly to SSEN via the app and save the 105 free-to-call national power cut number to their phone contacts.

"Being prepared ahead of bad weather is something that is especially important for customers who may need extra help during a power cut, including the elderly, disabled and families with small children," said Mr Nicol.

"It is particularly important for those who may rely on electricity for specialist and often life-saving medical equipment such as a kidney dialysis machine or ventilator. That’s why SSEN offers extra help and support to ensure its customers are cared for through its free Priority Services Register."

After registering, customers will be contacted to warn them of potential bad weather to help them prepare and to offer extra support where required.

SSEN’s teams will also keep in close and regular contact with its PSR customers during power cuts to check they are getting the help they need.

"Over 700,000 of SSEN’s customers are already signed up for the service, but SSEN is aware that there are still some customers who may not realise they are eligible for the scheme that provides extra support during power cuts."

Customers can qualify for the PSR 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/aids reliant on electricity

Are over 60

More info: ssen.co.uk/ready-together.

Do you want to respond to this article? If so, click here to submit your thoughts and they may be published in print.