We do all we can to ensure a safe, secure and reliable supply of electricity for all our customers - and on the rare occasions there is a fault and the power goes off, we’re just as committed to looking after our customers’ welfare until their supplies are restored.

Since last Autumn, we’ve been rolling out our Home Emergency Plan across our operating regions in northern Scotland and central southern England. It’s a simple but essential tool to help our customers be prepared for an emergency situation – including a power cut - by having all their important contact information, and actions they need to take, in one handy place.

Lyndsey Stainton, SSEN Distribution’s Head of Engagement Delivery, explains more about how the Home Emergency Plan originated:

“We’re always looking at ways in which we can improve the service we provide – none more so than on the rare occasions there is a power cut – and so after last winter’s storms we hosted a wide range of stakeholder and community engagement sessions in our two operating regions, with a focus on areas where the weather had the most impact on customers’ supplies.

“Our Home Emergency Plan is a direct result of these engagement sessions, where one of the main topics of conversation stemmed from communities asking us for advice on how they can make themselves more resilient, both on a community and personal level.”

The Home Emergency Plan isn’t just for power cuts - it’s designed to help customers be prepared for any emergency situation, and encourages them to note all their important contact numbers in one easy-to-access location, along with other details such as their health centre, home insurers, tradespeople and the local school, all of whom they may need to contact depending on the circumstances.

Lyndsey said: “Being prepared brings with it a feeling of personal reassurance, and so I’d encourage everyone to visit our website, download the template and develop their own Home Emergency Plan – it doesn’t take long to do, but can make a real difference in the long run.”

To learn more and download a copy of the Home Emergency Plan template, please click here.