Hydro engineers fixing fault which hit 2,400 properties 24/1/13
Hydro engineers are working to repair a serious fault with a high voltage network which blacked out about a fifth of properties in the Western Isles this week.
Two powercuts on Tuesday affected people in the Point and Stornoway area. Some 2,400 properties were hit.
In each case supplies were restored later but the underlying fault has not been fixed.
Engineers knew it lay in an underground cable but the precise location of the breakdown was not confirmed until Wednesday night.
Temporary generators are on site as a precautionary measure until the full repairs have been carried out.
A spokesperson for grid operator SSE said: “Over the past couple of days engineers have been on site to pinpoint the exact location of the cable fault.
“The location was confirmed last night and repair work began this morning. We hope to have the repairs completed by around 12am tonight.
“We would like to apologise to customers who have been affected by the interruptions on Tuesday, and also thank them for their patience while we carry out the full repairs.”