How to find out if there's a power cut and claim compensation

A power cut occurs when the electrical power network supply to households fails. They're often caused by bad weather damaging power lines or a temporary distribution issue. 

The National Grid has previously warned that it may need to schedule planned power cuts in winter to cope with surges in demand and low supply. However, this is unlikely to happen. If they were to take place the planned outages would be short.

How long power outages last depends on what has caused the problem. Usually power is returned very quickly. Long power cuts are very rare and tend to be a localised issue, often due to storm damage to a parrticular cable.

If you've experienced a long power cut, find out whether you're eligible to claim compensation in our guide to your rights in a power cut.

Find out if there’s a power cut near you

If you've got no electricity supply and are wondering if there’s a power cut in your area, you need to check with your local distribution network operator (DNO). 

There are 14 licensed DNOs owned by six different groups that cover specific geographically defined regions of Britain. 

Click the linked name in the table below to go straight to the website of your DNO to search for local updates near you.

What is an electricity DNO?

Your regional distribution network operator (DNO) owns and operates the power lines and infrastructure connecting the power network to your property. This is not managed by your energy supplier.

Your regional DNO can help you with queries about connecting your property, power cuts or moving your meters.

They also manage the network of towers, transformers, cables and meters that carry electricity from the national transmission system to distribute it. 

They are responsible for connection line faults and maintenance, as well as allocating Meter Point Registration Numbers (MPRNs), which are the unique identifiers for individual supply points that correspond to respective regions. Their systems connect directly to the central database of electricity supply points.

DNOs have to be regulated by the energy watchdog Ofgem. Ofgem stipulates that DNOs must connect customers to the grid when requested.

How long do power cuts last?

How long power outages last is dependent on what has caused them and therefore how long it takes to restore your supply. They can be over in a matter of minutes, but there is a small possibility they could last longer.

You can sign up for text updates from your local DNO to help you monitor the situation if you do experience one. Get in touch with your DNO using the table above to sign up for live power cut updates. 

Find out more about what to do in a power cut

How to report a power outage

If you have a power cut that's not yet been reported, you can contact your DNO to tell them what’s happened.

You can ring 105 (for free) from a mobile or landline phone, which will link you to your local operator’s emergency number. 

You can also go to your local network operator’s website to find out whether a power cut has been registered yet, and report it if it's not listed. You'll also be able to get live updates.

Getting compensation for a power cut

Ofgem sets rules about how electricity companies respond to power cuts and how quickly power should be restored. If these aren’t met, you could be due compensation. 

The amount you’re due is dependent on factors such as the number of hours you’ve been without power and the severity of the weather.

You must make a claim within three months of your electricity supply being fixed. If you suffer multiple outages, this time frame applies each time power is restored. It is also worth bearing in mind that the compensation does not cover any subsequent financial loss.

Different electricity distribution companies have different claim mechanisms, so to find out how to make a claim you need to contact your distribution company.  

If you're on your supplier’s Priority Services Register, you’ll be paid compensation automatically. Contact your supplier if you’re not heard about compensation within 3 weeks.

Compensation for planned power cuts

If your DNO cuts off your power for a pre-planned reason, such as for engineering work, they have to give you two days' notice. This will usually be via a letter. 

If you don't get two days' notice, or if the power cut happens on a different day to the one you were warned about, you can claim £30 back. 

Compensation for unplanned power cuts caused by bad weather

If your power is off for more than 24 hours following bad weather, you are entitled to £80 compensation. The time frame increases to 48 hours if the weather is classified as a severe storm. 

After that time, you'll get a further £40 for every additional 6 hours you are without power, up to a maximum of £2,000.

Compensation for unplanned power cuts not caused by bad weather

To find out what you're entitled to, you'll need to know how many homes were affected. You should be able to find this information on the website of your regional DNO.

If fewer than 5,000 homes were affected, you can claim £75 if your power is off for more than 12 hours. You can claim a further £35 for every 12 hours after that.

If more than 5,000 homes were affected, you can claim £75 if your power is off for more than 24 hours. You can claim a further £35 for every 12 hours after that.

The maximum you can claim is £300.

If your power is cut off more than four times in a year, for at least three hours each time you can claim an extra £75. 

Compensation for power cuts in Northern Ireland

Electricity distribution in Northern Ireland is run by NIE Networks (Norther Ireland Electricity Networks) which has slightly different rules. 

Its standards state that it will restore your electricity within 24 hours of a power cut. If not, you'll be due £50, then £25 for every 12 hour period after that. You must claim within one month of the day of the power interruption.

If your supply is turned off for planned reasons, you must get three days' notice. If not, you're entitled to claim £25 per home. You must claim within one month of the day of the power interruption.

It does specify on its website that exceptional events can allow for exemptions to be applied to these rules. This could include extreme weather conditions.

Find out more about claiming compensation after a power cut.

How do power cables work?

Power cables are used for transmitting electric power from substations to required locations e.g. households. 

They can be installed as overhead or underground, depending on needs, and have a protective coating called insulation.

Power cables are expected to last about 25 years, but they don’t have a precise life expectancy. This is determined by different environmental and operational conditions, performance demands, and the cables’ quality.