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Distribution Network Operators Northern Powergrid and Scottish Hydro Electric Power Distribution (SHEPD) reconnected 42,000 customers between them by Saturday night, as engineers battled the fallout from Storm Gertrude.
Northern Powergrid reported on Saturday (January 30) that it had reconnected the remaining 45 customers after 25,000 homes and businesses had power cuts as a result of Storm Gertrude. SHEPD reported on the same day that it was no longer on yellow alert, after more than 17,000 customers had their power restored.
By late Friday night Northern Powergrid had restored power to the majority of customers whose supplies were affected as a result of damage to the power lines supplying their area. The company remained in touch with the remaining 45 customers and provided support where required.
Rod Gardner, Head of Network Operations, said: “Storm Gertrude saw winds of up to 79mph across parts of our operating area causing damage to our overhead network in Northumberland, County Durham, Tyne and Wear and parts of North Yorkshire.
“Our network control engineers, frontline engineers, linesmen and customer support teams have all worked together with professionalism and dedication to ensure all 25,000 of our customers had their power safely restored.
“We’re sorry for the inconvenience caused and thank our customers for their understanding and patience whilst we worked in what was very challenging conditions to repair the damage caused by Storm Gertrude.”
Northern Powergrid is continuing to closely monitor the weather following Met Office warnings for further strong winds across its operating area in the North East, Yorkshire and northern Lincolnshire on Monday (1 February).
The company is assuring customers that it remains prepared and has extra engineers and customer advisors ready to respond should the winds affect its network. Similarly, SHEPD said it continues to have engineers and support staff standing by to provide assistance to its customers.
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