Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN) has today issued a Yellow Alert in preparation for a period of unsettled weather which could impact its electricity network in the north of Scotland overnight tonight (Wednesday 10 July) and throughout the day on Thursday.

SSEN's current weather model shows thunderstorms with heavy rain and scattered lightning across the north of Scotland throughout the course of Wednesday, with a significant band of lightning moving across its network area overnight into Thursday, building as it tracks eastwards. Central Highlands and the North East are expected to be worst affected as the weather front moves across the mainland.

In preparation, SSEN has enacted its resilience plans, increasing its standby resources in anticipation of potential damage. Its teams are proactively contacting customers on its Priority Services Register to offer extra assistance where required and are liaising with local resilience partners to help coordinate efforts to prepare for potential supply interruptions.

Mark Macdonald of Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks, said:

"We've been tracking this weather front for a number of days, and although the impact of lightning can be difficult to predict, we have activated our resilience plans and increased our resources to ensure we're ready to respond quickly to any damage to our network."

"I would encourage anyone concerned about the potential disruption to supplies for themselves or others, particularly family members or neighbours who may need extra support, to call us on 105."

SSEN is also urging people to not approach any damage to its equipment and instead, report it to SSEN by calling 105 or via its Power Track App and engineers will investigate as soon as possible.

Customers are also being encouraged to be prepared for the possibility of disruption to supplies by:

  • Saving the emergency power cut number '105' to your phone to report any loss of supply or damage to the electricity network
  • Downloading SSEN's Power Track app to give you details of power cuts and restoration times. You can also report power cuts and network damage through the Power Track app
  • Going to SSEN's website where there is a wealth of advice and information on how to deal with a power cut, or to chat live to one of SSEN's advisors via its Webchat service
  • Following SSEN on Facebook and Twitter for regular updates

Customers can register for SSEN's Priority Services Register (PSR) if they require extra assistance. 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.