Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN) has this afternoon moved to Yellow Alert in response to increased confidence of severe winds impacting north-west Scotland from Sunday (12 December)evening and into Monday (13 December).

Based on current forecasts, a rapid, deep-forming low pressure will bring wind gusts in excess of 85mph in the Outer Hebrides and around 70mph across the north-west of Scotland, Orkney and Shetland.

In preparation for this unsettled weather, SSEN has enacted its well-established resilience plans and is both increasing and moving additional standby resources to key locations in anticipation of any potential damage. Customers on SSEN's Priority Services Register are being proactively contacted in advance of the weather front arriving.

If customers see any damaged equipment, SSEN is urging them to keep a safe distance and report it to SSEN by calling 105 or via its Power Track App, and engineers will investigate as soon as possible.

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

  • Saving the emergency power cut number 105 to their phone to report power cuts or damage to the electricity network
  • Downloading SSEN's Power Track app  which provides details of power cuts and restoration times. Customers 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 Web chat service
  • Following SSEN on Facebook  and Twitter for regular updates

Customers are eligible for SSEN's Priority Services Register 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
  • Are categorised at 'high risk' or 'extremely high risk' of severe illness from coronavirus

For more information on the Priority Services Register, click here or call 0800 294 3259