Power in Shetland following severe weather disruption

That this House commends the efforts of Scottish and Southern Electricity Network (SSEN) engineers and partners, emergency services and communities during power outages caused by severe weather disruption in Shetland; understands that 5,289 properties lost power on 13 December 2022 due to snowstorms and ice bringing down power lines; further understands that all homes that had lost power were reconnected the afternoon of 18 December 2022, meaning some homes had been without power for six days; pays tribute to the hard work of all SSEN staff, and crews from other contracted companies, many of whom had travelled up to Shetland from the Scottish mainland to assist with the power restoration; notes that weather conditions remained extremely difficult, with workers out in low temperatures and high winds; further commends the response of emergency services in assisting people affected by the severe weather, local resilience partnership organisations and Shetland Islands Council which provided advice and welfare support to those affected; commends NorthLink Ferries for their assistance in transporting vital equipment and crew to Shetland; praises the community response, in particular the provision of shelter, warm spaces and hot food to people whose homes had lost power; further notes that despite all properties being restored to power ongoing work remains on the network to restore normal operation; and expresses gratitude to all continuing to work to restore normal operation to Shetland’s power network.