‘Survival mode’: Storm Éowyn left us without power for six days

SPEN said the electricity network in central and southern Scotland sustained more than 100 days’ worth of faults in under three days.

They added that call centre staff handled more than 94,000 calls – three months’ worth in four days.

The firm said they sent more than 270,000 text messages to customers on the priority services register and face-to-face visits were made to more than 1,400 of their most vulnerable customers.

Customers without power for more than 48 hours are entitled to automatic compensation, they added, and those who paid for their own alternative accommodation and food while they had no power can submit a claim for reimbursement.

Nicola Connelly, SPEN CEO, said: “This has been a truly colossal task with our teams pulling out all the stops – and making use of every possible resource at our disposal as well as drafting in people and resources from across the country – with that singular aim of getting all our customers affected by the storm back on supply as quickly and safely as possible.

“It’s been complex and challenging, but our teams stayed focused and persevered until we achieved just that – helped massively by the patience, resilience and understanding of our customers.

“We know it’s been difficult and you were always at the heart of the tremendous team effort made right across our business, so thank you for your support.”