Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN) has restored electricity supplies to more than 17,000 customers since yesterday evening as Storm Aileen brought wind gusts of over 60mph to the electricity network across central southern England.
As of 8.30am there are just over 1,000 customers across the SSEN network area without electricity, with rural areas of Wiltshire and Oxfordshire the main areas affected. All faults have now been located and SSEN engineers are continuing to work hard to safely repair damage to the network and restore supplies to customers as soon as possible through the course of today.
Craig Gilroy, SSEN's Director of Customer Operations, said: "Our network has held up very well to the storm-force winds overnight and thanks to the hard work of our engineers and support teams, all faults are either restored or are located and being worked on."
"We would like to thank our customers for their patience and understanding at this time, and for those who are without power, assure them that our teams will continue to do everything possible to restore their supplies as safely and as quickly as possible."
"If any of our customers do come across any damage to our equipment, we ask that they don't approach it as it may still be live. Instead, call us on the single emergency number 105 and we'll get our engineers out to investigate as soon as possible."
SSEN is also encouraging customers to be prepared in the event of possible disruption to power supplies, by:
- Saving the new emergency power cut number '105' to your phone to use if your power goes off, or if you see any damage to the electricity network.
- Downloading SSEN's Power Track app to give you details of power cuts and restoration times.
- Going to SSEN's website where there is a wealth of advice and information on how to prepare for a possible loss of power.
- Joining SSEN's Priority Services Register, which provides extra assistance for vulnerable customers. To find out more about the PSR, click here or call 0800 294 3259