Storm Arwen: Review launched into energy firms’ response as power cuts enter second week

‘We have strict rules’ on how firms must respond says Ofgem

Britain’s energy regulator has launched a review into the response of power firms Storm Arwen and has removed a limit on compensation for thousands affected by power cuts.

Military personnel have been deployed to help residents in Scotland and England who have been off supply for a week since the storm caused “catastrophic damage” to the electricity network.

Ofgem said efforts to restore supplies “must continue” and that companies had “strict rules” on how to respond.

Jonathan Brearley, Ofgem’s chief executive said: “We understand this is a really worrying time for people who are without heat and power as the severity of Storm Arwen has hit homes and businesses in the North of England and Scotland. The effects of Storm Arwen are still being felt with 10,500 homes still without power.

“We accept the network companies have been working in challenging conditions, but until every home in Britain has power restored, that relentless effort must continue.”

He added: “We are launching a review into how the storm has been handled. We have strict rules on how network companies need to operate in these circumstances, and we will take action if needed.”

A £700 cap on compensation has also been lifted and those affected by storm damage will be able to claim £70 for each 12 hour period they are left without power, after an initial £70 for the first 48 hours.

The review will focus on the role of the network companies in maintaining the resilience of the system and their emergency response, including their communications with customers.

Around 130 troops have been sent to carry out door-to-door checks and offer welfare support in north-east of Scotland, where around 1,600 Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN) customers remained off supply at 10am on Friday.

South of the border, Durham County Council said around 100 servicemen and women will be based in Weardale to help local people.

Northern Powergrid, the electricity distribution network operator for the northeast, Yorkshire and northern Lincolnshire, said 6,000 customers remained off supply at 11pm on Thursday, though power has been restored to 234,000 others since Storm Arwen swept across the country on Friday 26 November.

SSEN said it expects to restore power to 1,100 homes throughout the course of Friday and into the evening, where it remains safe for work to continue and subject to no unforeseen difficulties with ongoing repairs.

Around 500 customers are expected to be reconnected throughout the course of Saturday.