This morning, in response to the latest weather forecast, Scottish and Southern
Electricity Networks has moved to Yellow Alert status ahead of Storm Ciarán.
It is due to hit central southern England overnight on Wednesday and continue into
Thursday, leading to several hours of strong winds, heavy rain and a risk of
localised flooding. At this time, SSEN would like to reassure its customers and
partners that it is well prepared for this period of bad weather.

The decision to move to Yellow Alert status comes as a result of the increasing
certainty about the storm’sduration and route, and the potential it has to cause
damage to the electricity network.

SSEN has been monitoring this weather system for several days, and is now
activating its well-rehearsed contingency plans, bringing in additional teams to
deal with any damage to the network and subsequent faults, which may impact
customers’ power supplies.

These additional teams, aided by colleagues from SSEN’s north of Scotland
distribution area and contractor partners, will respond to faults and carry out
repairs quickly and safely. Teams answering customers’ queries over the phone
are being bolstered, and SSEN is already calling its most vulnerable customers
to offer them help and advice. In total, more than 250,000 customers who are on
the Priority Service Register will be contacted ahead of the storm. SSEN is also
organising for welfare provisions to be put in place for affected areas.

SSEN’s latest weather model shows a likelihood of southerly and south-westerly
gusts of up to 70mph along the Hampshire and Sussex coast overnight on Wednesday
and throughout the day on Thursday, with inland gusts of up to 60mph in Dorset. Gusts
in excess of 50mph are possible in Berkshire, Wiltshire and Oxfordshire. The winds will
be accompanied by persistent, heavy rain.

SSEN will continue to monitor this storm closely as it develops and issue
regular updates.

Customers are encouraged to be prepared for the possibility of disruption
to supplies by:

• Saving the emergency power cut number - '105' - to your phone to report
  any loss of supply or damage to the electricity network
• Visiting SSEN's Power Track Website to give you details of power cuts and
  restoration times.
• You can also report power cuts and network damage through the Power
  Track app
• Going to SSEN's website where there is a wealth of advice and information
  on how to deal with a power cut, or to chat live to one of SSEN's advisors
  via its Webchat service

Customers are also eligible for SSEN's Priority Services Register (PSR) if they:

• Are deaf or hard of hearing
• Have a disability
• Live with children under five
• Are blind or partially sighted
• Have a chronic illness

Can we ask that you share these important messages with members of
your communities to allow them to prepare for any potential disruption of supply.

We are coordinating through the local resilience forums to further assist preparations
and we will continue to keep you updated on our activities relating to the impacts of
Storm Ciarán. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us directly
at stakeholder.engagement@sse.com

Fiona Morrissey

Engagement Delivery Manager, SSEN