Final push to reconnect last customers after storms wiped out power

Engineers are making a final push to reconnect the remaining properties left without power following severe storms at the weekend.

More than 120,000 customers across the north of Scotland were left without electricity after storms Malik and Corrie battered parts of the country on Saturday and Sunday.

Wind speeds of more than 90mph were reported in places, with a gust of 147mph recorded on the summit of Cairn Gorm in the Highlands.

Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN) said that as of 12.30pm on Thursday, power had been restored to more than 120,000 homes, with around 50 properties remaining off supply across the low voltage network in Aberdeenshire.

SSEN said multiple points of damage were caused by fallen trees and windborne debris striking overhead power lines.

The firm said its teams worked through the night to respond to all known faults and remain committed to reconnecting the final houses.

Richard Gough, director of distribution system operations at SSEN, said: “I would like to thank customers for their continued patience and reassure them that every effort is being made to restore their power as quickly and safely as possible.

“We continue to work closely with local resilience partnerships in Aberdeenshire to support the welfare effort for customers who remain off supply.

“Conditions have been extremely challenging for our teams, but we are continuing to work throughout today to safely connect the final few homes.

“I would also like to recognise the effort and dedication of SSEN teams and engineers from distribution network operators from across the UK and Ireland who continue to work hard in difficult conditions to restore power safely to communities across the north of Scotland.”