SSEN (Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks) have now restored power to all homes known to be impacted by Storm Eunice, which caused the equivalent of six months of overhead line faults on their network in just a single day.
Since the storm battered the south coast with record wind gusts on Friday (18Feb 2022), SSEN responded to over 1,000 points of network damage battling fallen trees, challenging conditions, complex repairs, and multiple wind warnings.
SSEN have also delivered thousands of hot meals, supported hundreds of referrals for their Priority Service Register customers, dealt with a record 1.1 million hits on their PowerTrack app and 120,000 calls to contact centres.
Alongside prioritising the restoration of isolated faults reported following Storm Franklin, SSEN will now focus our heavy operational presence to restore the network back to full health through remaining remedial repairs and maintaining and refuelling any mobile generators as required.
SSEN have said: “Our dedicated teams continue to be on hand to support the welfare of our customers. If the power in your street has come back on, but your property hasn’t, then please check your trip switches first and then report it to us by calling 105.”
Richard Gough, Director of Distribution System Operations, said: “Everyone in SSEN, from our engineers working village-to-village in the field to our teams providing critical support to customers 24-7, is thankful for the support we’ve received as we worked to restore power. We are also grateful for the patience of our customers as we have done so – we know it hasn’t been easy and we apologise for the disruptions to supply.
“Responding to the devastation of Storm Eunice has been a big, big challenge but one that, thanks to the preparation and the dedication of our teams, we have collectively risen to. I’d like to thank all our staff, partners and contractors who have supported our efforts. The assistance we’ve received from all colleagues across our industry has been truly outstanding and has really made a difference for our customers in the most challenging of times.
“As our enhanced workforce now moves towards addressing any remaining needs and completing remedial repairs, I’d like to reassure our customers that our committed teams will remain focused and provide continued support to those who need it.”
SSEN recognise that customers may have questions regarding compensation, which is governed by Guaranteed Standards of Service set by our regulator, Ofgem. Customers will be eligible for compensation under Guaranteed Standards if they have been without power for over 48hrs, where they will be eligible for a payment of £70. A further £70 will be due for each additional period of 12 hours in which supply is not restored, up to a cap of £700.
Customers do not need to contact SSEN to receive this compensation. We will automatically issue this by cheque to the address that was impacted by the storms based on the data we hold. We will send a letter to addresses where this information is incomplete.
Due to the impact of Storm Eunice, customers who were off supply for more than 48hours can claim for reasonable costs for meals and alternative accommodation. Please retain all receipts which should then be sent to SSEN for reimbursement via the following link - https://tinyurl.com/EuniceClaim.
