While our electrical supply has improved dramatically since the spate of power cuts and surges in back 2012 the people of Islay are still blighted with a plague of power surges which causes great harm to both residential and business concerns alike.
Recently on the 3rd on January Islay has had a number of short power cuts and surges but this was particularly bad in Portnahaven and Portwemyss with a total of 13 power cuts and surges from just before 7 in the morning to midday. To their credit SSE were very quick to respond to the complaints both at a management and front line staff level working on site by just after 11 in the morning.
While SSE's management has improved dramatically in their level of service to the Island they still do not have a system in-place for properly compensating households for the damage to fridges, freezers and other electronic equipment. The damage caused by power surges is a massive cost to individuals and businesses that are currently facing increases in their overall cost of living.
The large power suppliers have (at least in the past) always denied the extent of the damage caused by these surges, but I do not accept that. I will continue, as I have done in the past, to make sure our power companies pay out compensation for damaged equipment and improve their erratic supply levels.
I would also like to thank the local SEE team; almost everyone I have spoken to is very grateful to our local front line SSE workers for fixing the problem.
Alastair Redman