Network power to be restored to north isles

Scottish Hydro Electric Power Distribution (SHEPD) is advising its customers on the islands affected by the recent power cuts that they will see an interruption to their power supply in the early hours of tomorrow as temporary generators are disconnected and they are switched back to the normal network supply.

SHEPD engineers are set to restore the normal network supply to Shapinsay, Stronsay, Sanday, Eday and North Ronaldsay between 5am and 7am tomorrow morning, following a fault that occurred on Monday.

Customers are expected to experience an interruption in power supply lasting around 30 minutes.

Power supplies were initially restored to 962 affected homes and businesses using mobile generators during the course of Monday.

Specialists completed repairs earlier today to a section of onshore cable on Shapinsay.

SHEPD’s Orkney Manager Stevie Burns said:“We have planned the short interruption which is needed to restore normal service to minimise further disruption to our customers, but I would like to apologise for any inconvenience this may cause.

“We are in the process of contacting customers who are on our Priority Service Register to make them aware and check on their welfare.

“I am hugely grateful for the support and understanding we have had from our customers, Orkney Ferries and our emergency response partners during the course of this fault.

“I would particularly like to thank customers in the affected islands who disconnected renewable generation on Monday to make sure our mobile generators were able to work successfully while permanent repairs were under way.”