Starting earlier this week, and through to 28 June, SSE diesel powered generation stations at Battery Point, Stornoway, and Loch Carnan, South Uist, are keeping the power on for everyone across the Western Isles while the main network is temporarily turned off.
The local windfarm supply and mainland grid link are switched off to allow essential work to be carried out safely on the electricity infrastructure.
The outage was originally scheduled to run from 17-26 June to enable SSEN Transmission
teams to carry out work on their equipment across the Western Isles.
This works programme has now been extended by 48 hours.
As a result, local SSEN Distribution teams have now also scheduled work which can be done while the power is turned off. This maximises the potential for works to be carried out at the same time, thus avoiding the need for the power to be turned off again at a later date.
The Battery Point station will also be powering customers between Harris and Stornoway
from 2-19 September, as SSEN Transmission teams work in the area.
On both occasions, the switchover between the main electricity network, and the two power stations will be seamless; communities won’t notice any difference in power levels as they go about their daily business.
Island power stations temporarily take over from main grid supply
21 June 2024