Power cut compensation calculator
Short answer: in England, Scotland and Wales, homes get £100 if the power is off for more than 12 hours in normal weather, then £45 for each further 12 hours (capped at £400 when 5,000 or more properties are affected). Most payments are automatic.
Figures from Ofgem, read 1 November 2026. They change each April; we'll re-check by 1 April 2027.
The 2026 amounts (England, Scotland and Wales)
| Situation | First payment when | Homes | Businesses | Then | Cap |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Normal weather, under 5,000 properties affected | off more than 12 hours | £100 | £195 | £45 per further 12 h | No cap |
| Normal weather, 5,000+ properties affected | off more than 24 hours | £100 | £195 | £45 per further 12 h | £400 |
| Storm category 1 | off more than 24 hours | £90 | £90 | £45 per further 6 h | £2,235 |
| Storm category 2 | off more than 48 hours | £90 | £90 | £45 per further 6 h | £2,235 |
| 4+ cuts of 3+ hours, 1 Apr to 31 Mar (claim) | £100 | £100 |
Source: Ofgem and its 2026 payment update, applying from 1 April 2026. A worked example from Ofgem: a 36-hour cut affecting fewer than 5,000 properties pays £100 + 2 × £45 = £190.
How the calculator works
- Only full further periods count. The regulations pay for "each succeeding period of 12 hours" that ends with the power still off (regulation 5), so 30 hours off in normal weather is £100 + 1 × £45 = £145.
- Storm categories are set by your network operator from how many faults the weather caused. They are not the Met Office's warning colours. If you don't know, pick "Not sure" and we show each case side by side.
- The extra £100 for repeated cuts needs 4 or more cuts of at least 3 hours each between 1 April and 31 March, at the same address. You must claim it within three months after 31 March (regulation 10). Ofgem's page says the operator decides whether you qualify.
- Northern Ireland uses NIE Networks' own standards: £50 (homes) or £125 (businesses) after 24 hours, then £25 per further 12 hours. You must claim within 1 month.
How to claim, step by step
- Write down the date and time the power went off and came back, and any reference number your operator gave you.
- In Great Britain, wait: most payments are automatic. Ofgem says operators can pay by cheque, cash, bank transfer, or through your energy supplier.
- Nothing after a few months? Contact your network operator (find yours on our power cuts by area page). If a payment was missed, you may be owed an extra £40.
- Had 4 or more cuts of 3+ hours this year? Claim the £100 from your operator by the end of June.
- In Northern Ireland, claim from NIE Networks within 1 month.
Full details, exemptions and what isn't covered: power cut compensation UK: how much and how to claim.
Frequently asked questions
How much compensation do you get for a power cut in 2026?
In England, Scotland and Wales, Ofgem's guaranteed standards give homes £100 (businesses £195) when power is off for more than 12 hours in normal weather, or more than 24 hours if 5,000 or more properties are affected. You then get £45 for each further 12 hours. When 5,000 or more properties are affected, the total is capped at £400. These amounts apply from 1 April 2026 (Ofgem, read 1 November 2026).
What do you get in a storm?
If your network operator says the weather was storm category 1, the first payment is £90 after 24 hours; in category 2 it is £90 after 48 hours. Then £45 for each further 6 hours, up to £2,235. These storm categories are the network operator's, based on how many faults the weather caused, not the Met Office's.
Do I have to claim power cut compensation?
In Great Britain most payments are automatic, and Ofgem says you don't need to claim. The extra £100 for 4 or more cuts of 3 hours or more in a year (1 April to 31 March) must be claimed from your network operator. In Northern Ireland you claim from NIE Networks within 1 month.
Is the calculator's figure what I will get?
No. It's an estimate from the published rules. Your network operator decides, including how many properties were affected and which weather category applied, and some cuts are exempt.
Does power cut compensation cover food or appliances?
No. The payments are fixed sums, not a refund. Ofgem says you won't be paid for damaged electrical equipment or appliances, a national power shortage, or a low supply after a power cut. Check your home insurance for food and other losses.
How much is power cut compensation in Northern Ireland?
NIE Networks pays £50 to homes (£125 to businesses) if power isn't back within 24 hours, then £25 for each further 12 hours. You must claim within 1 month. No payments are due in very severe weather, when high-voltage faults are over 13 times normal.
Sources
Official rules change, so if a figure here doesn't match the source, the source is right. Tell us and we'll fix it. This is an estimate, not legal or financial advice.
- Ofgem: Check if you can get a payment for a power cut, read 1 November 2026
- Ofgem: Guaranteed Standards of Performance payment update 2026 (letter and annex, 13 March 2026), read 26 October 2026
- legislation.gov.uk: Electricity (Standards of Performance) Regulations 2015, regulation 5 (each further full 12 hours), read 1 November 2026
- legislation.gov.uk: regulation 10 (repeated interruptions and the claim deadline), read 26 October 2026
- NIE Networks: Customer standards, read 26 October 2026
- NIE Networks: FAQs, unplanned power cuts (severe weather), read 26 October 2026
- NIE Networks: Making a claim, read 26 October 2026
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