← FFCheckWho do I contact?EN
Government · the UK
Updated September 2026

⚡ The power is out — who do I call, and can I claim for the damage?

Direct answer

Check the neighbours' lights and your fuse box; if it is not just you, call the outage line of Your grid operator — outage line — the grid operator, not your energy supplier; the number is on your bill and on the operator's outage map. Long outages give you a right to compensation in most countries after a set number of hours, paid automatically or on request; Ofgem (ofgem.gov.uk) sets the rules and decides disputes. Damaged appliances from a surge: claim from the grid operator or your insurer; Your local council (gov.uk) if the cause was municipal works.

Call firstYour grid operator — outage line
Report toOfgem
If that failsYour local council

🗣️ What to say

"Power has been out at [address] since [time]. The neighbours are affected too / only my home. My fuses are fine. Is there a known fault, and what is the expected restoration time? I would also like to claim the outage compensation."

🪜 Step by step

  1. Fuse box, then neighboursOne flat only: your fuses or your wiring (landlord). Whole street: the grid.
  2. Outage line: Your grid operator — outage linePhone or the outage map; report even if it is already shown — it helps them locate.
  3. Unplug sensitive devicesSurges when power returns damage electronics. Keep the fridge closed.
  4. Compensation: Ofgem rulesAfter a threshold (often 4–12 hours) a fixed sum per household; ask the operator in writing if not automatic.
  5. DamagePhotos, receipts, the operator's incident number. Claim from the operator; contents insurance often pays first.

📇 All contacts

Your grid operator — outage linePower cuts, damaged lines, meter faults (not the supplier)During an outage; the number is on your bill
OfgemRegulator, supplier conduct — not individual billsSwitching without consent, unfair practices🔗 www.ofgem.gov.uk
Your local councilNoise, waste, roads, housing standards, licensing, lost propertyFor anything the council handles🔗 www.gov.uk/find-local-council
Financial Ombudsman ServiceFree, binding complaints against insurersAfter the insurer's final response📞 0800 023 4567🔗 www.financial-ombudsman.org.uk

❓ Frequently asked

Should I call my supplier?

No — suppliers sell you electricity; the grid operator delivers it and fixes faults. Calling the supplier just delays.

Medical equipment at home

Register with the grid operator as a priority customer in advance; during an outage call and say so — they prioritise and can supply a generator.

Planned works with no notice

Planned interruptions require advance notice; without it, compensation and a complaint to Ofgem.

📎 Sources

Last checked: 2026-09-26

🔎 Common searches

Recognise your own search? The answer above covers all of these.

  • “power outage who to call the UK”
  • “grid operator outage line”
  • “power cut compensation hours the UK”
  • “appliance damaged power surge claim”
  • “electricity outage map”

🧭 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.

🔗 Related questions

⚡Energy bill dispute→🛢️Gas leak→📩Object to a decision→💡Broken streetlight→

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