SSEN supporting customers during power cuts with new scheme

Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN) Distribution has begun delivering free home battery packs to Priority Services customers, with a focus on supporting households reliant on electrically powered medical equipment.

The battery packs, part of a rollout to 20,000 eligible customers from the beginning of February, are designed to keep devices running during power cuts and offer reassurance to some of the most vulnerable residents.

The battery packs are designed to keep devices running during power cuts. (Image: SSEN)

The portable batteries may, subject to approval from the manufacturers of specialist in-home medical equipment, keep essential medical devices operating for longer during power cuts, and can be used with items such as lamps, laptops, routers and phones.

The scheme follows a six-month trial involving 28 participants, including Ruth and Andy Miller from near Andover.

Ruth and Andy Miller, from near Andover, have received a battery pack. (Image: SSEN)

Mrs Miller said: "Having a Home Battery Pack for the past several months has been really worthwhile for us.

"My husband sometimes needs to use an oxygenator, and we've tested it with the battery and it's performed well.

"We've also used it to keep our mobile phones topped up.

"During this winter, we’ve had a brief power cut, so it's been reassuring for us to know the battery's been there if we needed it."

Vivienne Batchelor from Devizes also took part in the trial.

She said: "My husband and I are both severely disabled, and having the home battery pack gives us extra peace of mind that in an emergency we can keep some of our most important electrical items going."

The units have a capacity of 1,024Wh and they weigh just over 12kg.

Eligibility is determined by a customer’s needs and the frequency of power cuts in their area, and no application is required.

Eliane Algaard, services director at SSEN Distribution, said: "We’re proud to be able to deliver this first-of-a-kind benefit for our customers, to provide additional support for those most in need.

"People who used a Home Battery Pack during the trial told us it made a big difference to them.

"They said they felt more prepared because they knew how the battery could help support them in their own homes if the power went off for a time."

The scheme is part of SSEN’s Priority Services support, which also includes tailored Power Cut Plans.