The UK’s energy network operators have deployed more than 5,000 field staff and technicians to reconnect customers who were without power because of damage caused by Storm Isha.
Storm Isha brought strong winds of around 100mph in places, affecting the whole of the UK overnight and reaching a peak in the early hours of this morning (Monday 22 January 2024). Red and amber weather warnings were triggered overnight with a yellow weather warning remaining in place until lunchtime today.
As of 7pm this evening across the UK:
- 370,000 customers have been reconnected.
- 24,000 customers in some parts of Great Britain are without power, mainly in the north of England and in Scotland.
- 15,000 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 have been used to speed up damage assessments today and engineers will be working late into the evening and again from first light, when it is safe to do so, to fix the damage.
- Some customers will be without power overnight. In Northern Ireland it is likely that this will be a multi-day event.
Energy network operators are monitoring the development of Storm Jocelyn which is due to arrive tomorrow and may cause further challenges for engineers working to repair damage. A yellow wind warning is in place in some parts of the country from noon tomorrow (Tuesday 23 January) and an amber warning is in place for western and northern Scotland from tomorrow evening.
Lawrence Slade, Chief Executive of Energy Networks Association which represents the UK’s electricity network operators, said:
“Great progress has been made since Storm Isha abated today, with 370,000 customers across the country reconnected. Network operators are supporting those without power this evening by mobilising additional welfare support, including hot food and drink vans.
"Thousands of field staff and technicians have spent the day working to repair damage, clear debris and reconnect power. Conditions are always difficult in the aftermath of a storm, but we are facing another storm, Jocelyn, tomorrow and this could make things particularly challenging.
"Our aim is to reconnect everyone as quickly and safely as possible."
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.
Press contacts for journalists
Philip Baker
Media Relations Manager
ENA Press Office
Notes to editor
Storm Jocelyn was 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."
Photographs available for editorial use. Please credit Northern Ireland Electricity Networks / Aurora PA / ENA. CAPTION: Electricity technicians work to clear damage following Storm Isha. LOCATION: Glenavy Road, Lisburn, Northern Ireland. Taken on 22 January 2024.
OPERATIONAL NOTE:
- Next update to customer numbers will be provided by ENA at around 10am tomorrow (Tuesday).
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.