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Electricity & gas · the UK
Checked 2026-09-27

🔌 Power cut in the UK: who do I call?

The short answer

For a power cut you call the grid operator, not the company that bills you. The grid operator owns the cables and repairs faults.

📜 The rules in the UK

Power cut

Call 105 (free, Great Britain) or your network operator. Outside storms, homes are paid £100 automatically if a cut lasts over 12 hours (24 hours if 5,000+ homes are hit), plus £45 per extra 12 hours. Northern Ireland: NIE Networks 03457 643 643.

Official source: ofgem.gov.uk · Checked 2026-09-27

🪜 Step by step

  1. Check your fuse boxIf only your home is dark, check the main switch and fuses first. If the neighbours are dark too, it is a grid fault.
  2. Report it to the grid operatorUse the fault number or outage map of your grid operator below.
  3. Stay safeSwitch off sensitive appliances, keep the fridge closed and never touch fallen cables: call 112.
  4. Ask about compensationLong outages can give a right to compensation. See the rules for the UK below.

📇 Who to contact

NIE Networks — Northern IrelandRuns the local grid, meters and connectionsPower cut, meter problem, new connection📞 03457 643 643🔗 www.nienetworks.co.uk
NIE NetworksRuns the local grid, meters and connectionsPower cut, meter problem, new connection📞 105
Ofgem (Office of Gas and Electricity Markets)Supervises energy companies and explains your rightsFor information, and to report a company that breaks the rules🔗 www.ofgem.gov.uk
Utility Regulator (Northern Ireland)Supervises energy companies and explains your rightsFor information, and to report a company that breaks the rules🔗 www.uregni.gov.uk

❓ Questions

Why not call my supplier?

The supplier only sells the energy. The grid operator fixes the network.

How do I find my grid operator?

It is on your bill and depends on where you live. See the list on this page.

Will I get compensation?

Only for long outages and depending on national rules. The details for the UK are on this page.

📎 Sources

Checked: 2026-09-27

🧭 Is this still correct?

We check this information carefully, but phone numbers, websites and rules change — and sometimes we get something wrong. Spotted a mistake or a change? Let us know below.

🔗 Also useful

🔄Switching supplier→📈Price increase→🧾Wrong or high bill→💸Can’t pay the bill→🏚️Supplier went bust→

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