We've pulled all the information together you'll need into one place. Find out about
- Why do power cuts happen
- How to check power cuts in your area
- What to do if you experience a power cut
- What to do if there is a nationwide emergency power cut
Like the railways, the UK has energy suppliers like us who supply the energy to customers and businesses. Then there are the Network Distribution Operators who own, maintain and operate the pipes and cables which transport your electricity to you. You can find out who your Network Distribution Operator is through the Energy Networks Association website.
As with anything, the operators work hard to maintain these systems and react when there is a power cut in their area. Power cuts can sometimes happen and are usually caused by one of the following reasons;
If there is a planned power cut in your region, the Network Distribution Operator will contact you to let you know. However, there will be times when this is more difficult due to unforeseen issues that can happen.
You can also sometimes track power cuts in your area through your Network Distribution Operators' website. Find out who your operator is and track power cuts in your area.
If you need to report a power cut, you can do this easily by calling the emergency number 105. It's free of charge to contact and will put you through to your local network operator, who can give you help and advice.
You can find more info on the 105 website.
This will all depend on why the power cut happened, how you were informed, and how quickly power was restored. You'll need to contact your Network Distribution Operator and start the claim process through them.
Here are some practical tips on how to keep you and your family safe through a power cut and some things to do before one happens
Tips to help you plan for a power cut
Tips to keep you safe during a power cut
Sometimes it's necessary to carry out a process of emergency planned energy outages across the country. These are usually rare and are at specific times reacting to an emergency. Like water rationing, when there is a drought, the government will need to take action if there is less electricity available.
The action taken to manage this effectively is called the Rota Disconnection Schedule. The country is split into regions, and each area has its energy supply managed by a different Distribution Network Operator. You can easily find out who your network operator is.
If this happens, here's the critical information you need to know
National Grid manages the network and distribution of energy in Great Britain and published its Winter Outlook report earlier this year. The report looks at different scenarios that could impact energy supply and demand this winter. To help reduce the risk of blackouts as much as possible, they've launched a scheme that incentivises customers to use less electricity at peak times when supplies are low. The scheme is called the Demand Flexibility Service. Find out more about how we're supporting this service.
Winter is around the corner, so learn how to prepare your home for extreme weather conditions such as:
Why do pipes freeze? Simply put, your pipes always have a little water in them, and when temperatures plummet, that water freezes and nothing can pass through.
We've pulled together some info to help you prevent your pipes from freezing.
A home with no heating or hot water is no fun. Here's what to check if you find yourself in this situation. Read our tips when you have no heating or hot water.