Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN) is preparing to respond to a period of high winds that are forecast to impact its central southern England network.

From Wednesday evening through to Thursday morning, SSEN's current weather model shows a period of high winds, with wind gusts of up to 60mph forecast across much of its central southern England region.

These wind speeds are expected to result in a number of faults across SSEN's network and SSEN is ensuring that preparations and resources are in place to deal with any issues that may affect its network, increasing its standby resources in anticipation of potential damage to its network. SSEN is also asking its customers to be prepared for the possibility of disruption to supplies.

In advance of the weather event, SSEN has been proactively contacting its Priority Service Register customers to offer extra assistance where required; it has also been liaising with local resilience partners to help coordinate efforts and ensure that everyone is prepared for any interruption to supplies should they occur.

SSEN's Director of Customer Operations, Craig Gilroy, said:

"Our advance weather monitoring systems have identified a period of high winds which is forecast to potentially impact our network over the next few days. I would like to reassure our customers that we are well prepared and resourced to respond promptly to any damage to our network, where it is safe to do so."

"Plans are in place to deploy additional frontline teams, support staff, equipment and welfare facilities in the areas expected to be impacted to support efforts to restore power to our customers as quickly and safely as possible. We have also been proactively contacting our vulnerable customers to pre-warn them of potential disruption to supplies, as well as working closely with our local resilience partners."

"If any of our customers do experience a power cut, or have any concerns about a vulnerable family member or community member, I would encourage them to please call us on the new national emergency number, 105."

SSEN is also encouraging its customers not to approach any damage to its equipment and, instead, report the damage to by calling 105 and SSEN's engineers will investigate as soon as possible.

Customers are encouraged 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.
  • Following SSEN on Facebook and Twitter for regular updates

In the event of an interruption in power supplies, SSEN's customer service team will make outbound calls to customers on our Priority Service Register (PSR) to offer extra assistance, where required. People can qualify for the PSR if they:

  • Are dependent on electricity for home medical care
  • Have a chronic illness or short term medical condition
  • Are disabled
  • Have special communication needs
  • Have children under the age of five
  • Are over the age of 60

To find out more about the PSR, click here or call 0800 294 3259.