Around 1,600 properties still without power but efforts to reconnect continue
AROUND 1,600 properties now remain without power as efforts continue to reconnect areas with no supply.
The figure is correct as of 1pm, with areas like the west and north mainland still affected.
Following the arrival of additional crews and equipment overnight, around 150 engineers are now battling snow and ice to rebuild Shetland’s overhead power lines and reconnect properties to the network.
Subject to no unforeseen challenges, SSEN Distribution continues to target the restoration of the majority of supplies by Sunday.
It is anticipated that some small clusters of properties in the West Mainland, particularly west of Bixter, will be reconnected on Monday.
An updated list of locations, customer numbers connected to each circuit and the final estimated times of restoration (ETR) can be found below. The ETRs listed are for final reconnection of all customers on each circuit, some properties will have their power restored prior to this ETR.
Restoration is prioritised by many factors, including the extent of damage, the ability to re-route the network and the potential to connect mobile generation to restore supplies.
Mark Macdonald, head of region at SSEN Distribution, said: “Teams of engineers have been out in force since first light this morning to continue restoring power to homes and businesses across Shetland. We’d like to thank our customers for their patience and reassure them that an increased 150-strong team is out across the islands today working to reconnect supplies as quickly as possible.
“We expect to make sustained progress throughout the day, reconnecting customers area-by-area by rebuilding sections of network, connecting mobile generation and undertaking engineering solutions to restore power faster, before making permanent repairs.
“We recognise that although the community spirit is still strong across the islands, customers experiencing a prolonged loss of power will face new challenges each day.
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“I’d continue to encourage customers to take advantage of the warm hubs set up in collaboration with Shetland Islands Council and our resilience partners and urge anyone who needs additional support to call us straight away on 105.”
An updated list of welfare hubs for today (Friday) is available here.
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