CHRISTMAS DAY WORKERS: Power company's 'livewire' is ready for any eventuality over festivities

If there is to be a crisis on Christmas Day, Pam Harvey sincerely hopes it will be minor in nature – a spilled fizzy drink, maybe, or a batch of slightly overcooked Brussels sprouts.

Alternatively, it could be a sudden power cut taking out heat and light to hundreds of homes somewhere within 15,000 square miles of her Highlands and Islands patch.

Whichever it is, the Scottish and Southern Electricity Network (SSEN) customer relationship manager will be ready to break from family festivities and spring into action.

Responsible for the integrity of this vast region’s electricity supplies, the power company strives to ensure their most vulnerable customers are protected through a Priority Services Register.

“We have some of the worst winter weather and most remote locations,” Ms Harvey explained. “Going into our storm season, extreme weather conditions can cause power cuts.

“On Christmas Day, I will be doing my normal thing here with the kids and I’ll cook Christmas dinner, but I’ll be ready to deal with any issues.

“For any customer who says their power is off and they’re not coping, we have good relations with the emergency services and community resilience partners like British Red Cross and the Highland Medical and Emergency Response Team, who can help on the ground. It can be anything from a flask of hot water or extra blanket to, in exceptional cases, a power generator supplied by our engineers for home kidney dialysis.”

The free 105 number offers customers help and advice, while the Power Track App can show if there is a power cut in your area.

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