AN ENERGY provider has issued an update amid Storm Éowyn as 68,000 homes are left without power due to severe winds.
SP Energy Networks said in a statement that engineers are trying to restore power to homes but have been met with difficulties due to high winds and a number of roads being closed leading to repairs being stalled.
The energy firm said efforts to assess damage and restore power due to falling debris and downed trees on power lines have been made more difficult due to the red weather alert which ended at 5pm on Friday but was replaced with an amber warning.
Large parts of Scotland’s south and central belt have been shut down amid the rare red weather warning as gusts of wind as strong as 100mph have been recorded.
Earlier on Friday First Minister John Swinney said the Scottish Government was informed that around 100,000 homes across the country were without power due to Storm Éowyn.
Aileen Rourke, SP Energy Networks Scotland distribution director, said engineers are doing “what they can” to restore power to homes as “quickly as possible” but stressed the weather conditions are still serious.
She said: “We’ve seen wind speeds of over 100mph across our network region with conditions remaining treacherous. In many cases it is not safe to work to restore power but our engineers are doing what they can, both in the field and in our control room, to get the power back on for people as quickly as possible.
Rourke added: “We are working closely with the Scottish Government, local authorities and other services and are continuing to proactively contact vulnerable customers to offer support.
“For those currently without power, please be certain we are doing everything we can to get you back on supply as soon as conditions allow. If you’re experiencing a power outage, please report it to us via our website in the first instance or by calling the free, national emergency helpline 105.”
