Get compensation for power loss in Arran’s big freeze

People who were without electricity after the March blizzard brought the power lines down should contact Scottish and Southern Energy (SSE) power distribution, who are offering compensatory payments for the inconvenience suffered.

A goodwill payment of £35 is available to all domestic customers who were still without electricity after 10am on 25 March 2013, and £70 for business customers. A further £27 is offered for each subsequent full 12 hour period during which customers still had no electricity supply, and £54 for business customers. In addition, SSE is organising a series of local meetings and inviting people to talk to some of SSE’s senior managers about what happened.

Katy Clark MP, who is urging Arran people to take up the SSE offer, said ‘This compensation doesn’t really reflect the inconvenience caused by the loss of power but is a small recognition of what so many went through.’

If you want to claim, Google Scottish and Southern Energy, and scroll down to find the form, which simply asks for your name and e-mail and postal addresses. They will do the rest, but warn that it may take them a week or two. They do not ask how long you were without power, but it’s to be assumed that they will know this.