You report a power cut to the company that owns the cables, not the one that sends your bill. 105 works out which that is.
Live power cut maps
Each network shows current faults and an estimated time for power to return. If you don’t know your network, powercut105.com will find it from your postcode.
| Network | Covers |
|---|---|
| UK Power Networks | London, the South East, East of England |
| National Grid Electricity Distribution | Midlands, South West, South Wales |
| Northern Powergrid | North East, Yorkshire, northern Lincolnshire |
| SP Electricity North West | North West England |
| SP Energy Networks | Central and southern Scotland, Merseyside, Cheshire, North Wales |
| SSEN | Northern Scotland, central southern England |
| NIE Networks | Northern Ireland |
Right now
- Check the fuse box, then check the neighbours.
- Report it, even if you think someone has.
- Switch off the hob, oven, iron and heaters.
- Keep the fridge and freezer shut.
- Torches, not candles.
The full sequence is in what to do when the power cuts.
The Priority Services Register
A free register that tells your network and suppliers you need extra help in a cut. You get advance warning of planned cuts, priority updates, and in a long cut, practical support.
You’re likely to qualify if anyone at home is over state pension age, under 5, pregnant, disabled, has a long-term health condition or relies on powered medical equipment. It takes five minutes at thepsr.co.uk. In Northern Ireland it’s called the Customer Care Register.
If you qualify, do it today. It is the single most useful thing on this page.
Are you owed money?
Usually paid automatically, by the network. The current Ofgem amounts for homes:
| Situation | Payment |
|---|---|
| Normal weather, off for more than 12 hours | £100, then £45 for each further 12 hours |
| Storm (category 1), off for more than 24 hours | £90, then £45 for each further 6 hours |
| Severe storm (category 2), off for more than 48 hours | £90, then £45 for each further 6 hours |
| Storm maximum | £2,235 |
| More than 4 cuts of 3 hours or longer in a year | £100, but you have to claim it |
In a very large incident affecting 5,000 homes or more, the normal-weather clock starts at 24 hours. Payments don’t cover spoiled freezer food, so check your home insurance for that. If nothing has arrived after a couple of months, contact your network.
Source: Ofgem, check if you can get a payment for a power cut, checked 13 November 2026.
Planned cuts
Networks have to give notice before switching you off for maintenance. Treat the letter as a free rehearsal: charge everything, fill the flask, and see what you’d forgotten.