Thousands of engineers are working to restore power to customers as quickly and safely as possible. In addition, and where safe to do so, energy networks are also deploying helicopters and drones to identify and assess damage.
Engineers are continuing to uncover snapped electricity poles, downed wires and other complex faults. In some areas of the country the damage is some of the worst seen since 2005. Snowfall in some areas is making access very difficult.
Safety advice
The energy networks have issued important safety advice after a number of power lines were brought down and are urging those with medical needs to contact them.
Network operators are working with local resilience forums and co-ordinating a response with local authorities, British Red Cross and emergency services.
Supporting customers
- Energy networks are working with British Red Cross and local resilience forums to provide extra help and support.
- Welfare centres have been set up in some of the worst hit areas, providing hot food and respite.
- Dedicated teams are contacting vulnerable customers to offer support.
- Contact centres are working around the clock to respond to enquiries by phone and on social media. Due to high call volumes, customers are urged to monitor social media for updates wherever possible.
- Customers who remain without power should consider making alternative arrangements and staying with friends or family where possible.
- Customers can monitor progress by following their network operator on Twitter. Enter your postcode at energynetworks.org/StormArwen to find your local network operator’s details, including their social media channel.
@wpduk earning their keep today! Storm #Arwen #forestofdean pic.twitter.com/EGiSJqFO0K
— MKS (@stralachlan) November 27, 2021
⚠️1⃣ Our Field Team Leader, Carlton Wood, is at Willaston in Cheshire and he’s been kind enough to send an update on the damage the teams are repairing, how busy they’ve been and also a good idea of just how challenging repairs like this can be in the middle of darkness. pic.twitter.com/w58rbZKUiH
— SP Energy Networks (@SPEnergyNetwork) November 29, 2021
Our helicopter flew over our teams working to repair the power network after the devastation left by #StormArwen. pic.twitter.com/nbLybHci6B
— Northern Powergrid (@Northpowergrid) November 28, 2021
About us
Energy Networks Association (ENA) is the industry body representing the energy networks. Our members include every major electricity network operator in the UK. The electricity networks are at the heart of the energy transition. They directly employ more than 26,000 people in the UK, including 1,500 apprentices. They are spending and investing £33bn in our electricity grids over the coming years, to ensure safe, reliable and secure energy supplies for the millions of homes and businesses reliant on power every day.
Press contacts
You can contact ENA's press office by emailing press@energynetworks.org. For urgent or out-of-hours enquiries from journalists, please call 0204 599 7691.