SSEN Updates on Power Restorations and Network Developments
London, 7 January 2026 – Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN) has provided updates on ongoing efforts to restore power following recent storms, alongside announcements of network upgrades and planned maintenance. The organisation is focusing on rapid responses to outages caused by Storm Ciarán and Storm Floris, while advancing long-term infrastructure improvements to enhance reliability.
Storm Responses and Power Restorations
SSEN reported significant progress in restoring electricity supplies after Storm Ciarán, which affected central southern England. By noon on 7 January 2026, power had been restored to almost 25,000 customers, with teams continuing to reconnect around 2,000 remaining properties. Additional support includes welfare provisions such as hot food vans in affected areas, and tailored assistance for vulnerable customers through visits and calls. In the north of Scotland, following Storm Floris, over 71,000 households had their supplies restored, though approximately 950 homes remained without power, primarily in the Highlands. Engineers from less impacted regions were deployed to expedite repairs, with food vans and welfare support provided in the worst-hit areas. In the Highlands, residents on private water supplies were advised to boil water due to potential impacts on treatment systems.
Further north, power cuts affected hundreds of homes in Sutherland, with outages in areas like Loch Eriboll, Kyle of Tongue, and Bettyhill. Restoration times were estimated, such as 1.30pm for some faults, though weather conditions could cause delays. SSEN emphasised safe and rapid repairs, including rerouting supplies.
In Wiltshire, power was restored to over 3,500 homes in Chippenham after a transformer fire on 6 January 2026. Fire crews extinguished the blaze by 7.26pm, allowing engineers to repair the damage.
Key Facts / Stats
| Event | Details |
|---|---|
| Storm Ciarán (Central Southern England) | Restored to 25,000 customers; 2,000 still without power as of noon 7 January 2026. |
| Storm Floris (North of Scotland) | 71,000 households restored; 950 homes still affected, mostly in Highlands. |
| Power Cuts in Sutherland | Affected around 500 properties; restoration times from 11am to 2.30pm, weather-dependent. |
| Chippenham Transformer Fire | Restored to 3,500 homes; fire extinguished by 7.26pm on 6 January 2026. |
| Network Upgrades (Fleet-Aldershot, completed December 2025) | £8.7m investment benefiting 60,000 customers in east Hampshire. |
| Flexibility Auction (Launching 12 January 2026) | Seeking 46MW capacity across 101 locations in north and south areas. |
Network Upgrades and Future Plans
SSEN completed a £8.7m network upgrade in the Fleet and Aldershot areas of east Hampshire in December 2025, improving service for 60,000 customers. The project involved overnight work to replace equipment on overhead lines. Planning consent was granted in November 2025 for the Banniskirk Hub, a clean energy project including a new 400kV substation and HVDC converter station in Spittal, northern Scotland. SSEN Transmission secured an £800m financial guarantee from the National Wealth Fund in December 2025 for four major grid upgrade projects.
On 6 January 2026, SSEN announced a new long-term flexibility auction launching on 12 January 2026, seeking an additional 46MW of capacity to manage network pressures. The auction, open until 26 January 2026, covers 101 locations and builds on 934MW already secured. Ofgem approved a £5.4bn Scottish power grid upgrade in 2025, including new lines and substations to support renewable energy exports.
Planned power cuts are scheduled, such as in Moot Lane, Salisbury, from 9am to 4pm on 8 January 2026, with residents advised to prepare essential equipment. SSEN recommends contacting them for notifications.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I do during a power cut?
Stay safe by avoiding contact with damaged equipment and report issues via 105 or the Power Track website. Keep essentials charged and follow SSEN’s social media for updates.
How can I claim compensation for prolonged outages?
Customers without power for over 12 hours can claim £30 per person per day for food and drink costs via www.ssen.co.uk/stormclaim, with receipts.
What is SSEN doing for network resilience?
SSEN is investing in upgrades, flexibility services, and partnerships to reduce faults from weather and improve reconnection speeds.