Coastguard called in to help restore electricity in North Ronaldsay

After encountering transport difficulties, engineers from Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN) have had to call in the Coastguard to help restore power in North Ronaldsay.

In the wake of Storm Caroline, many homes in the North Isles were left without power. Unfortunately, due to the persisting weather conditions, the company were forced to stand down these operatives at 10pm, yesterday evening. This left 500 homes across the North of Scotland without power overnight.

This included customers in Eday, Shapinsay, and North Ronaldsay. When engineers resumed their work, this morning, 100 homes in Orkney were still without power.

Though power has now been restored in Eday and Shapinsay, SSEN say they have found it difficult to reach customers North Ronaldsay, due to ferry cancellations and other transport issues. This meant a call to the Coastguard, who are providing a helicopter to get additional teams to Orkney’s most northerly island.

“We have made excellent progress to restore power to the remaining homes affected by Storm Caroline and I would again like to thank all our customers their continued patience as our teams battled against the elements,” said Dale Cargill, SSEN director of customer operations.

“As the ongoing weather conditions could cause further damage to our network, if any of our customers do experience a power cut, or have any concerns about a vulnerable family member or community member, I would encourage them to please call us on the national power cut emergency number, 105.”

It is expected that power will be restored in North Ronaldsay later this evening.