Weather / Hundreds still without power as SSEN engineers work hard to connect homes
MORE THAN 500 homes across the isles are still without power 24 hours after Storm Gerrit hit Shetland with storm force easterly winds and gusts of up to 89 miles per hour.
Shetland Islands Council has urged anyone needing essential support to contact them on 01595 744400 (office hours) or 01595 695611 (out of hours).
This includes anyone who may not consider themselves to need help during normal circumstances.
Scottish and Southern Energy Network (SSEN) said its engineers were working across affected areas to restore power as soon as possible.
It is hoped that most properties currently without power will have electricity supplies restored by 10pm tonight (Thursday).
Any homes not connected by then will be prioritised for restoration as soon as possible tomorrow morning, a company spokesperson said.
“This morning, over 2,700 customers in Shetland were without power but thanks to the hard work of SSEN engineers, only 550 customers remain off supply,” the spokesperson said.
“SSEN’s teams continue to work as quickly and safely as possible to restore supplies to those customers who are without power, and it expected that the majority will be reconnected this evening.
“We will attempt to call all customers expected to remain without supply overnight and would like to assure these customers that our engineers will be out from first light tomorrow morning to complete repairs.”
Customers can also keep up to date with progress on restorations by visiting the SSEN Power Track website or calling the helpline on telephone 105.
SIC chief executive Maggie Sandison said council staff are contacting anyone known to be reliant on an electricity supply to provide assistance and will coordinate support where necessary.
Anyone who has not yet been contacted but may need urgent support, or perhaps knows someone who does, is asked to contact Shetland Islands Council on the number above.
“Let’s all look out for each other – please check on friends, families and neighbours and if you need help or know someone who does, please contact us,” she said.
“Our staff will help to coordinate any essential support until electricity supplies are restored.”
Meanwhile, the owner of the Shetland Hotel, Robert Smith of Brudolff Hotels, has thanked emergency services and building firm Leask Builders for their speedy response when parts of the hotel’s roof were blown off in the high winds on Wednesday night.
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