16 Feb Are you a power priority?
Printed in the Maidenhead Advertiser
EcoMatters Column February 2026
Are you, a family member or someone you love a ‘power priority’?
At SaveEnergy we’re committed to reducing energy consumption, but we’re also determined
to help people stay warm and safe at home, particularly important during the winter months.
Although the UK’s most recent storm didn’t have too much impact locally, we all know that
major storms can cause unplanned power cuts.
Losing electricity at home can be serious for people who are older, those with young children
or who depend on a secure power supply for medical equipment, storing medicines
appropriately or staying warm.
That’s why we recommend qualifying households sign up for
Priority Services with both their energy provider and their Distribution Network Operator, or
DNO for short.
Your energy provider is the company you pay for electricity, and your bill will include details
of how to join their Priority Services Register, while your Thames Valley DNO is Scottish and
Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN).
You can apply for SSEN’s Priority Services on their website.
These Priority Services schemes are completely free and offer support for customers who
might benefit from extra help before, during or after a power cut.
Through them, you may – for example – be given advance warning of planned power outages, provided with a
personalised power cut plan or updated with restoration progress during unplanned power
cuts.
This service also means you can keep family, friends and neighbours informed about
power cuts; useful when people might be concerned about what’s going on.
Whatever happens this winter – and year-round – free Priority Services schemes can help
you stay safe and warm. It only takes a few minutes to find out if you are eligible for
additional assistance and to register for yourself, a family member or someone you care
about.
For more free domestic energy advice and practical help on how to stay warm at home,
contact Kit at SaveEnergy by email at info@saveenergy.coop or call 01628 947077