Householder urged to take up welfare support while electricity is restored

SSEN’s engineers have been working round the clock to restore electricity supply across the area.

At the time of going to press, the company was still working to reconnect hundreds of customers across Angus although supply was restored to more than 1400 customers in one day.

SSEN’s teams have been working around the clock and were hoping to restore supply to an additional 3000 customers across the north-east yesterday, subject to no new damage being identified or unforeseen challenges.

The company has been actively encouraging all customers who remain off supply to take advantage of enhanced welfare provisions. If any customer is without power and is unable to make alternative arrangements to stay with family or a friend, SSEN will reimburse all reasonable costs for alternative accommodation.

Customers are urged to use welfare services during work.

Customers who can co-ordinate this themselves are encouraged to do so and send receipts to SSEN for reimbursement. Anyone who may need support in arranging alternative accommodation should call SSEN’s contact centre on 105.

Customers are asked to help keep lines clear by calling only in an emergency and when in genuine need of assistance.

Customers can also continue to access SSEN’s welfare facilities for free hot food and drinks, as well as claim the cost of takeaways or meals from local establishments, up to £15 per person. Other reasonable costs incurred by customers impacted by Storm Arwen will also be considered and customers are asked to retain their receipts in order to obtain reimbursement.

Chris Burchell, managing director, said: “The impact of Storm Arwen has caused catastrophic damage to the electricity network across the north east of Scotland and is the most significant event we have ever had to deal with in the area in a generation. We encourage all customers off supply to consider our welfare provisions, which we hope will go some way to help them deal with what remains an incredibly difficult situation."

Extensive welfare facilities are also being provided by Angus Council and other agencies, details of which can be found on its website.