The UK’s energy network operators reconnected around 323,000 customers who lost power due to storm damage overnight.
Across the UK, as of lunchtime today (Monday 22 January):
- 323,000 customers have been reconnected.
- 46,500 customers are without power in Great Britain.
- 24,000 customers are without power in Northern Ireland.
- Around 5,000 field staff and technicians are working to fix damage and reconnect power, in addition to thousands of customer service and support staff.
- Helicopters and drones are being used to speed up damage assessments.
In areas worst affected by Storm Isha, it may be tomorrow before all customers are reconnected in Great Britain. In Northern Ireland it is likely that this will be a multi-day event. A further update will be issued later today.
Customers in Great Britain can enter their postcode at PowerCut105.com to find updates from their local network operator or call 105 if they are unable to go online and need support. In Northern Ireland, customers can report a power cut and receive updates at https://powercheck.nienetworks.co.uk.
Lawrence Slade, Chief Executive of Energy Networks Association which represents the UK’s electricity network operators, said:
“Thousands of field staff and technicians have already reconnected around 323,000 customers who lost power due to storm damage and they are continuing to work to reconnect customers still affected as quickly and safely as possible. Where conditions allow today, we will be using helicopters and drones to speed up damage assessments and deploy engineers quickly to where they are needed most, fixing damage and getting people reconnected.”
Storm Jocelyn
Network operators are also carefully monitoring Storm Jocelyn, which has been named by Met Eireann today. According to the Met Office, "wind gusts are expected to reach 55 to 65 mph across northwestern Scotland while there is potential for winds to gust to 75 to 80 mph in a few places, in particular exposed parts of the Western Isles and coastal northwest Scotland early on Wednesday morning."
Notes to editor
A further update is expected this evening.
About Energy Networks Association
Energy Networks Association (ENA) is the industry body representing the electricity wires, gas pipes and energy system in the UK and Ireland.
ENA helps its members meet the challenge of delivering electricity and gas to communities across the UK and Ireland safely, sustainably and reliably.
Its members include every major electricity and gas network operator in the UK and Ireland, independent operators, National Grid ESO which operates the electricity system in Great Britain and National Gas which operates the gas system in Great Britain. Its affiliate membership also includes companies with an interest in energy, including Heathrow Airport and Network Rail.
What are energy network operators?
Energy network operators manage and maintain the wires, pipes and other infrastructure which delivers electricity and gas to your home, business and community. They are private companies which are regulated by Ofgem and employ around 40,000 people in Great Britain.