Red alert as energy firm tackles 'significant' storm damage

An energy firm says it remains at red alert status in the north of Scotland as teams continue to respond to “significant damage” caused by Storms Malik and Corrie.

Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN) said it was making good progress in restoring power to an additional 23,000 people.

As of 8pm on Monday evening, SSEN said power had been restored to 100,000 customers with around 16,900 remaining off-supply.

The main areas that continue to be affected are rural Aberdeenshire and the Angus border, with some customers also without power in Perthshire, the Highlands, Western Isles and the Moray coast.

SSEN says its teams – aided by more than 400 additional engineers – aim to reduce the number of customers off supply to around 7000 overnight.

Richard Gough, director of distribution system operations at SSEN, said: “Our teams have continued to make strong progress restoring power to customers impacted by the extreme weather from Storm Malik, with over 92% of those customers restored.

“Whilst our teams are making every effort to restore customers as soon as possible, the cumulative impact of Storms Malik and Corrie has compounded the restoration challenge. As a result, we are advising customers that while expected restoration of customer supplies from Storm Malik remains Tuesday evening, restoration times for some of those impacted by Storm Corrie may now extend to Wednesday.

“We would like to apologise to all customers affected and would like to reassure them that all available resources have been deployed to support with restoration efforts and our teams are doing all they can to safely restore power as quickly as possible.”

SSEN has deployed welfare facilities to the following locations:

Alford, Transport Museum Car Park, Fish & Chips
Beauly, the Priory Hotel
Bognie Brae, Bognie Brae Arms Car Park, Steak Bar
Elgin, Laichmoray Hotel
Fyvie, Outside the Co-op, Steak Bar
Insch, Church Hall Car Park, Western Road, Hot Food Van
Kemnay, Aquithie Road, Steak Bar
Munlochy, Car Park, Highland Hog Roast Food Van
Tarland, The Square, Steak Bar
Torphins, Learney Hall, Fish & Chips
SSEN has also arranged hot food vans to supply residents in Aboyne, Ballater, Braemar, Countnesswells, Lumphanan, Stonehaven

The amber warning for Scotland has now come to an end however a yellow warning is in place covering Lewis, the Orkney Islands, much of the Highlands, Grampian and Tayside areas from 6am until 6pm on Tuesday.

Storm Corrie hit the country on Sunday evening, with wind speeds of more than 90mph recorded in places, including a gust of 92mph at Inverbervie, Aberdeenshire – higher than the speeds recorded when Storm Arwen caused damage last year, or when Storm Malik hit on Saturday.

Deputy first minister John Swinney said: “Today we have seen an improving situation across Scotland following the two very serious storms over the weekend. The power companies have drafted in a large number of additional engineers and are making significant inroads into reconnecting customers, with work continuing at pace this evening.

“I want to thank all those who are working in difficult conditions to keep people safe and maintain our lifeline services.

“For those who will unfortunately not have power tonight, support with alternative accommodation is available to anyone who needs it. Those who have found their own accommodation can seek reimbursement from their suppliers.

“Special arrangements remain in place for vulnerable customers and local resilience partnerships continue to work together to provide welfare support.”