Power Cut Map UK: How to Check Outages in Your Area and Who to Call
How to check live power cut maps for your area, the free 105 number, every UK network operator's outage checker, and what to do while the lights are out.
The power just went out. Is it your fuse box, your street, or half the county? This guide shows you how to find out in under a minute — every UK live outage map, the free national number, and what to do while you wait for reconnection.
First: One Number to Remember — 105
Dial 105 free from any phone in England, Scotland and Wales and you reach your local electricity network operator — the company that owns the wires (not the company you pay bills to). Use it to report a cut, get restoration estimates, and report dangerous damage like fallen lines.
In Northern Ireland, call NIE Networks on 03457 643 643.
Live Power Cut Maps by Region
Every Distribution Network Operator (DNO) runs a live outage map. Find yours by region:
| Region | Network operator | Search for |
|---|---|---|
| London, South East, East | UK Power Networks | "UK Power Networks power cut map" |
| Midlands, South West, Wales | National Grid Electricity Distribution | "National Grid power cut map" |
| North West England | Electricity North West | "Electricity North West power cuts" |
| North East, Yorkshire | Northern Powergrid | "Northern Powergrid power cut" |
| Scotland (south), Central | SP Energy Networks | "SP Energy Networks power cut" |
| Scotland (north) | SSEN | "SSEN power cut map" |
| Northern Ireland | NIE Networks | "NIE power cut" |
Each map shows live incidents, affected postcodes, and estimated restoration times. Bookmark yours now — on a phone with data, it works even when your home is dark.
Your Street or Just Your House?
Before reporting, take 30 seconds:
- Check your neighbours' windows and street lights — if others are dark, it's a network cut
- Check your fuse box — a tripped main switch or RCD means the problem is yours
- If only your house is out and the fuse box looks fine, it may be your service fuse — that's still a 105 call, not an electrician
While the Power Is Out
- Turn off appliances that could be dangerous when power returns — hobs, irons, heaters. Leave one light on so you know when it's back
- Keep fridge and freezer doors shut — a full freezer holds temperature for 24-48 hours
- Check on vulnerable neighbours — stairlifts, medical equipment and heating all fail together
- Use torches rather than candles where possible — see our picks for head torches and emergency lighting during blackouts
- If the cut is long and cold, our emergency heating guide covers safe ways to keep one room warm
If Someone in Your Home Is Vulnerable
Register (free) with your network operator's Priority Services Register: households with medical equipment, young children, or elderly or disabled members get priority updates and support during outages — in extended cuts this can include hot meals, generators for medical equipment, and welfare visits.
Compensation for Long Power Cuts
Under Ofgem's Guaranteed Standards you may be owed automatic or claimable payments when cuts exceed set durations (typically 24 hours for unplanned cuts in normal weather, with amounts rising the longer it lasts, and different thresholds during severe storms). Claims go to your DNO — the operator you reached via 105 — usually within 30 days of the event.
Prepare Before the Next One
Power cuts are the UK's most common emergency, and a few quiet preparations remove almost all their sting: torches in known places, power banks kept charged, a wind-up radio, a flask, and the 72-hour kit that covers every other emergency too. For longer-term resilience, some households add solar and battery options.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 105 free to call?
Yes — free from mobiles and landlines across England, Scotland and Wales, 24/7.
Why can I not see my outage on the map?
Very local faults (your street's fuse, a single service cable) sometimes take minutes to appear, and faults inside your property never will. Report via 105 either way.
Do power cut maps work during a major blackout?
The maps run on the operators' infrastructure, which has backup power — but your access depends on mobile data. Mobile masts have limited battery backup (often 1-4 hours), which is exactly why a battery radio belongs in every home.