Power network operators have been ordered to improve their storm response.
The UK energy regulator, Ofgem, has released a report looking into how each network operator performed their legal obligations during Storm Arwen.
The north-east of Scotland was one of the worst areas hit by the storm.
Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN), based in Perth, controls the transmission and distribution of power in the north-east of Scotland.
They have been asked to pay an additional £2.3m in payments for poor customer experience – up from £13.1m.
The money will be paid to Ofgem before being distributed to charities and communities.
Akshay Kaul Ofgem network director told Good Morning Scotland this morning “Storm Arwen was one of the worst storms to hit the UK in more than a decade.
“More than a million customers lost power supplies, but more that 95% of those had their power reconnected within three days.
“But the networks have accepted that the service was unacceptable for customers that had to wait for a longer time and in such miserable conditions.”
After the storm, Aberdeenshire and Moray had more than 3,000 homes still without power after seven days.
There were some extremely harrowing cases caused by the power cuts. An 82 year-old mum from Auchleven, was left with no way to raise alarm for her disabled daughter during the blackout.
The Ofgem report has recommended improvements in severe weather escalation plans, customer communication systems and increasing compensation payment mechanisms.
The total amount of compensation paid by the networks has now risen from £34m to £44m.
Aberdeenshire East MSP Gillian Martin said: “Many of these recommendations from Ofgem reflect the phone calls and emails from hundreds of people who contacted my team desperate for assistance during Storm Arwen and in the weeks afterwards.
“I welcome these recommendations, which show there is plenty of work to be done to improve how companies respond to adverse weather events, which are only likely to increase in the future.”
‘I think we learned a huge amount’
Jim Savege, chief executive of Aberdeenshire Council said: “As we saw, communities were phenomenal at doing this across Aberdeenshire in terms of looking out for each other.
“I think we learned a huge amount between Arwen and Corrie and Malik in terms of having a very early assessment in terms of the scale of the impact there was across our communities.
“I think the report gives that recommendation in terms of looking at network management and vegetation management so those are welcome.
“For our communities to see that is key because they’ve then got confidence and assurance that we can try and prevent those incidents happening in the future.”
Storm Arwen hit the north-east with up to 90mph winds in November last year.
The response by communities included hot food and drinks which were made available at a number of locations across Grampian.
Hundreds of armed forces personnel were deployed across the north-east to help communities back on their feet in the wake of Storm Arwen by carrying out door-to-door welfare checks and fixing power lines.
Although it is hoped if the recommendations in the report are carried out, then such a response will not be needed the next time there is extreme weather.
