Power outages
Information and guidance on electricity loss
A nationwide loss of electricity is an extreme scenario that has not occurred in the UK to date. Whilst this risk is considered very unlikely, our reliance on electricity means that even localised outages can have severe impacts on
those affected.
A nationwide loss of electricity would affect millions of consumers and critical services. The technical recovery process is called “Black Start” and could take up to five days to restore power if there is no damage. If significant damage is
caused to the transmission lines, usually linked to severe weather, it could be weeks before some parts of the network are fully recovered and power is restored.
5 Ways you can
Prepare for a power outage
1
Sign up to the Met Office alerts, and the SSEN Power Track app
2
Keep a torch handy and avoid using candles or paraffin heaters
3
Keep a mobile phone to hand
4
Sign up to SSEN’s Priority Services Register
5
Call 105 if there’s a power cut
Power outage
How your Local Resilience Forum is reducing risk?
There are a number of risks which could result in electricity loss, including severe space weather, storms, gales and flooding.
We have arrangements in place to share information between emergency responders when these events are predicted, to make sure we are prepared.
We work closely with our local electricity supplier, Scottish and Southern Energy Networks (SSEN) and community groups to develop community emergency plans.
SSEN provided funding to numerous community groups, who have supported
their plans by purchasing equipment such as generators, sleeping bags and torches.
