SSEN Distribution announced on 16 December 2025 a partnership with the charity Asthma + Lung UK, intended to raise awareness of the free support the network operator offers to people with lung illnesses during power cuts1. SSEN Distribution operates the electricity network connecting almost 4 million homes and businesses in central southern England and the north of Scotland1.
The company said more than 1.1 million of its customers are already signed up to Priority Services, which provides extra support during a planned or unplanned power cut1. It said people living with asthma and lung conditions may be eligible for additional support, with the level of help depending on the nature and severity of their condition1. SSEN said people with these conditions often need medical equipment at home, such as oxygen concentrators, continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machines or nebulisers, and that advice on managing treatment when the power goes off is important, particularly for those who rely on a constant electricity supply or need their home kept at a certain temperature1.
Priority Services benefits listed by SSEN Distribution include notice of disruption to electricity supply at any hour, a personalised Power Cut Plan, a dedicated support line, and information in large print, braille, audio or other languages where needed1. SSEN said it has been providing Power Cut Plans to people who sign up for Priority Services since early 20251.
"Our industry-leading care for customers who are living with vulnerabilities is being further enhanced through a new partnership with the charity Asthma + Lung UK."
SSEN cited 7.2 million people in the UK living with asthma, and said more than 1 in 5 people will have a lung condition at some point in their lives1. Susan Duncan, SSEN Distribution's Partnership and Vulnerability Engagement Manager, said the partnership would support more people during power outages and emergencies and help them manage their condition while power is restored1. Sarah Sleet, chief executive of Asthma + Lung UK, said winter is a particularly dangerous time for people with lung conditions and that the collaboration would protect thousands of people with lung conditions across the north of Scotland and central southern England from power cuts through timely support and health advice1.
Why it matters for households
A power cut is a different problem for a household that depends on mains-powered medical equipment or on a stable indoor temperature. The support described here runs through the Priority Services Register, which network operators use to identify customers who need advance warning, extra communication or other help. For households in SSEN's two licence areas, the SSEN Distribution pages set out how that support works in practice, and the wider network operator support schemes vary by company, so eligibility and the exact help on offer depend on who runs the local network. Households that are unsure which company covers them can check who their distribution network operator is.
The practical value of a Power Cut Plan is that it is written around a specific household's needs rather than issued as general guidance, which matters where treatment, oxygen or heating cannot simply be paused. The announcement does not change what any individual household is entitled to; it is an awareness campaign between a network operator and a charity. The needs of vulnerable and medically dependent households during an outage, including those relying on medical equipment, are covered in more detail elsewhere on this site, as is keeping warm during a power cut.
What happens next
No further dates, targets or expansion of eligibility were announced. SSEN said the two organisations will work together to increase awareness of Priority Services and of Asthma + Lung UK's advice and support services1.