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Power being restored days after storms hit Scotland Power being restored days after storms hit Scotland
(about 17 hours later)
Power companies have said they hope almost all customers cut off by Tuesday's storms will be reconnected overnight. Scottish Hydro has said power has been restored to all customers cut off by Tuesday's storms.
ScottishPower said 950 of its customers who were without electricity for a third night on Thursday should be back on before Saturday. Scottish Power said they are still working at around 40 isolated properties to permanently repair the supply.
Scottish Hydro said that the final 260 of their customers in Argyll and Bute should also be reconnected.
At the peak of the storm, about 160,000 households were left without power.
A ScottishPower spokesman said: "If a reconnection estimate for a property is expected to be later this evening, the company will make every attempt to contact customers to offer alternative accommodation for tonight.
"If there are any isolated cases where power can't be restored from the mains supply, the company will offer to connect a generator to the property or offer alternative accommodation if preferred."
The company had 850 engineers working to repair storm damage on Friday, the most it has ever deployed.The company had 850 engineers working to repair storm damage on Friday, the most it has ever deployed.
At the peak of the storm, the worst for a decade, about 160,000 households were left without power.
A Scottish Power spokesman said: "If a reconnection estimate for a property is expected to be later this evening, the company will make every attempt to contact customers to offer alternative accommodation for tonight.
"If there are any isolated cases where power can't be restored from the mains supply, the company will offer to connect a generator to the property or offer alternative accommodation if preferred."
It said it had been hit with more faults in a single day than it would normally receive in three months.It said it had been hit with more faults in a single day than it would normally receive in three months.
Scottish Hydro said: "We are working to restore electricity to the remaining 260 customers without electricity tonight.Scottish Hydro said: "We are working to restore electricity to the remaining 260 customers without electricity tonight.
"We remain confident that remaining power supplies will be restored today.""We remain confident that remaining power supplies will be restored today."
Argyll and Bute Council urged anyone who needed help from the council's social work team to contact them on 0800 811 505.Argyll and Bute Council urged anyone who needed help from the council's social work team to contact them on 0800 811 505.
Once all the customers are reconnected, the power firms will identify customers entitled to compensation.Once all the customers are reconnected, the power firms will identify customers entitled to compensation.
Customers who are without power continuously for 48 hours following a storm are entitled to compensation under the energy regulator Ofgem's guidelines.Customers who are without power continuously for 48 hours following a storm are entitled to compensation under the energy regulator Ofgem's guidelines.
Gusts of 102mph were recorded at Blackford Hill in Edinburgh on Tuesday, with winds reaching 97mph in Bishopton and 91mph on Islay.Gusts of 102mph were recorded at Blackford Hill in Edinburgh on Tuesday, with winds reaching 97mph in Bishopton and 91mph on Islay.
Transport Minister Keith Brown praised staff who worked "round the clock" to restore transport links and power supplies.Transport Minister Keith Brown praised staff who worked "round the clock" to restore transport links and power supplies.
The minister said: "Over the last four days, the number of people without power has reduced from 160,000 to 1,400, with an assurance from the power companies that all homes will have power by the end of the day.The minister said: "Over the last four days, the number of people without power has reduced from 160,000 to 1,400, with an assurance from the power companies that all homes will have power by the end of the day.
"During that time Scottish Hydro Electric Power Distribution and Scottish Power provided hot meals and mobile catering facilities for affected people as well as accommodation."During that time Scottish Hydro Electric Power Distribution and Scottish Power provided hot meals and mobile catering facilities for affected people as well as accommodation.
"Councils and police worked with the power companies to ensure the most vulnerable customers were contacted and kept safe and well.""Councils and police worked with the power companies to ensure the most vulnerable customers were contacted and kept safe and well."
A BBC1 Scotland programme, Storm Force, is being shown on Sunday at 17:35. It will be looking back at the week's bad weather and the help people affected can expect.A BBC1 Scotland programme, Storm Force, is being shown on Sunday at 17:35. It will be looking back at the week's bad weather and the help people affected can expect.