Stronsay Power Supplies – OLECG Update

The multi-agency Orkney Local Emergency Co-ordinating Group (OLECG) met this morning to discuss the ongoing power outage in Stronsay

The power has been out on the island since around 7.00pm yesterday evening.

Efforts are underway by SSEN to bring a generator to the island and it is hope to restore power supplies by 3.00pm

Local residents are being asked to check in on vulnerable family and neighbours.

Given the high temperatures and the potential for frozen food to defrost quickly whilst freezers are without power, advice is also being given to householders and businesses on food safety.

Most freezers will maintain food in a frozen state for 24 hours if undisturbed. The easiest way to check your freezer contents when power is re-established is by checking the bags of products such as peas or frozen mixed veg. if they are still frozen and move in the bag with ease your food is safe, if they have coalesced or are stuck together with ice and hard to break apart the items in your freezer have defrosted and have now become refrozen. If the items are soft then treat it as defrosted. Do not refreeze defrosted food.

Keep fridges closed as much as possible, but unfortunately if the temperature has already increased in your fridge high risk foods such as meat and dairy may well be unsuitable for consumption and need to be treated with caution.

Given the recent hot weather, if you question the safety of an item that has been in the fridge or freezer it is better to err on the side of caution and dispose of it than run the risk of food poisoning. You may able to claim on your insurance for any food you cannot use.  

Orkney Islands Council's Environmental Health Team can provide advice to businesses affected by any loss of stock - including providing condemnation certificates if required by your insurance company please contact the council  as soon as possible if this is needed as the food will require inspection prior to disposal.  

OLECG brings together the emergency services, public sector agencies including Orkney Islands Council and NHS Orkney, transport providers and utility companies

Local Police Scotland Chief Inspector Scott Robertson is Chair of OLECG. He said: "Disruptions to power supplies can prove very difficult for householders, particularly when they go on for long periods of time. We’d encourage everyone to continue to check in on anyone who they think might need extra help.

"Efforts are ongoing to get the power supply back up and running to all island households and we will provide further updates in due course.

"Usually, these incidents tend to occur in periods of bad weather, which usually raises challenges in terms of keeping householders warm in their homes.   The beautiful weather we've been experiencing this week presents a whole new set of challenges, not least that of the risks of freezers defrosting - we'd encourage all to heed the advice given by OIC Environmental Health around this.

“My thanks to the agencies who have been responding to this incident overnight including SSEN, Orkney Ferries and Pentland Ferries – their assistance is much appreciated.“