SSEN boosts vulnerable customer database by third

Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN) has increased the number of vulnerable customers on its Priority Services Register by a third over the last year.

However it is still pushing for any customers in the north of Scotland and central and southern England who think they may be eligible to sign up now to receive help from the distribution network operator during power cuts.

SSEN has more than 451,000 customer who are dependent on electricity for home medical care, have a chronic illness or short term medical condition, are disabled, have special communication needs, have a young baby or receive a state pension.

These customers receive a phone call if the power goes out, and if necessary a welfare check from a member of a specially-trained team.

SSEN’s social obligations manager Julie Walker said: “We recognise how difficult and distressing a power cut can be for our customers and want to ensure those who need extra support during emergency situations are cared for and supported by our dedicated teams.

“We’ve increased the numbers of eligible customers on our Priority Services Register by more than a third in the last year. We know there may be customers in our communities who are not aware of the register and the support we offer to those who need it most and we’d encourage them to sign up to the service as soon as possible.

“We provide vulnerability training to our employees in our customer contact centres and depots to help us provide the most appropriate service for each of our customers.”