Standard content for Members only
To continue reading this article, please login to your Utility Week account, Start 14 day trial or Become a member.
If your organisation already has a corporate membership and you haven’t activated it simply follow the register link below. Check here.
Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN) has voluntarily increased its compensation to customers disconnected following Storm Arwen by 20%.
The distribution network operator (DNO) said the goodwill payments will be worth an additional £154 for households left without power for a week.
Along with an additional £500,000 contribution to its Resilient Communities Fund, SSEN said the extra compensation will be worth a total of £2.5 million.
SSEN managing director Chris Burchell said: “The intensity and impact of Storm Arwen brought many challenges to SSEN, but I fully recognise the challenges faced by the communities we serve have been even greater.
“I’d like to thank customers for their patience as our teams worked tirelessly to restore power and also to recognise the support we received from our community partners to help protect those customers most in need.”
He continued: “We recognise this is an exceptional situation and are making a fair and proportionate goodwill increase to the standard compensation available for customers, supporting those most affected.”
Customers are entitled to statutory compensation of £70 if they are disconnected for more than 48 hours following a category 2 storm, plus another £70 for every additional 12 hours up to a maximum of £700. Last week, DNOs agreed with Ofgem to lift the £700 cap.
SSEN said the lifting of the cap and the extra 20% of compensation will mean the worst affected customers will receive an additional £560 in total.
Please login or Register to leave a comment.