In short: 105 is the free number for reporting a power cut in England, Scotland and Wales. It puts you through to your local electricity network operator, the company that runs the wires and fixes faults, which is often not the company that sends your bill. In Northern Ireland, call NIE Networks on 03457 643643 instead.
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Key facts
- Call 105 for free in England, Scotland and Wales to be put through to your electricity network operator. Source
- There are 14 electricity distribution network operators in Great Britain, owned by six ownership groups. Source
- Report unplanned power cuts to your network operator; contact your energy supplier instead if the cut is caused by a faulty meter. Source
- In Northern Ireland, report a power cut to NIE Networks on 03457 643 643 or online. Source
- Western Power Distribution's companies were renamed National Grid Electricity Distribution in September 2022. Source
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If the lights have gone out, the company you need is probably not the one on your bill. This page explains who actually fixes power cuts, how to find the network operator for your area, and links to each operator's official live power cut map. We're an independent guide: we're not a network operator, we can't see live faults, and nothing on this page is live data.
Supplier or network operator: what's the difference?
Two different kinds of company are involved in getting electricity to your home:
- Your energy supplier is the company you pay. Ofgem says suppliers buy energy on the wholesale market and sell it on to customers. You can choose and switch your supplier.
- Your distribution network operator (DNO) runs the local wires. Ofgem describes distribution network operators as running "the smaller pipes or wires that take energy locally to homes and businesses". You can't choose it — it depends on where you live.
When there's an unplanned power cut, Ofgem says your local network operator is responsible for fixing it, so that's who you report it to. The exception is a fault caused by your meter: for that, contact your energy supplier.
The quickest way to report a power cut: 105
In England, Scotland and Wales, call 105 for free. Ofgem says 105 will put you through to your electricity network operator, so you don't need to know who it is first. You can also report a cut on your operator's website, which is often where the live map and updates are.
In Northern Ireland, 105 doesn't apply. NIE Networks runs the network there: call 03457 643 643 or report online.
Before you report, check whether neighbours or street lights are also off. If only your home is affected, the problem may be your own fuses or trip switch — see our power cuts guide for what to check safely.
How many network operators are there?
According to Ofgem, there are 14 electricity distribution network operators in Great Britain, owned by six ownership groups. Each of the 14 covers a licence area. Most people only ever see the group name (for example "UK Power Networks"), but the licence names tell you roughly which part of the country each one covers.
Ofgem's list of electricity licensees also includes a separate category of independent distribution network operators, which run smaller networks connected to the main ones. If you're not sure who serves your address, Ofgem suggests using the Energy Networks Association's network operator finder — or simply call 105.
Which network operator covers my area?
| Operator (group) | Licence areas (Ofgem) | Area covered | Official power cut page | Our guide |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| National Grid Electricity Distribution | East Midlands, West Midlands, South Wales, South West | The Midlands, South Wales and South West England | powercuts.nationalgrid.co.uk | National Grid power cuts |
| UK Power Networks | London Power Networks, South Eastern Power Networks, Eastern Power Networks | London, the South East and the East of England | ukpowernetworks.co.uk/power-cut | UK Power Networks power cuts |
| Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN) | Scottish Hydro Electric Power Distribution, Southern Electric Power Distribution | North of Scotland and central southern England | SSEN Power Track | SSEN power cuts |
| SP Energy Networks | SP Distribution, SP Manweb | Central Belt and south of Scotland; Merseyside and North Wales | powercuts.spenergynetworks.co.uk | SP Energy Networks power cuts |
| Northern Powergrid | Northern Powergrid (Northeast), Northern Powergrid (Yorkshire) | North East England and Yorkshire | northernpowergrid.com/power-cuts | Northern Powergrid power cuts |
| Electricity North West | Electricity North West | North West England, from Cumbria to Manchester | enwl.co.uk/power-cuts | Electricity North West power cuts |
| NIE Networks (Northern Ireland) | — (not part of the GB 14) | Northern Ireland | nienetworks.co.uk/power-cuts | NIE Networks power cuts |
How we checked the areas: the licence names come from Ofgem. The area descriptions come from the operators themselves — SSEN, UK Power Networks, Electricity North West and SP Energy Networks — and, for National Grid, from its licence names and Milton Keynes City Council. Boundaries between operators don't follow county lines exactly, so if you live near the edge of an area, check by postcode or call 105.
"National Grid power cut map": which one do I need?
Lots of people search for the "National Grid power cut map" wherever they live. But the National Grid map only covers National Grid Electricity Distribution's own area — the Midlands, South Wales and South West England. If you live in London, Scotland, the North of England or anywhere else, your power cuts are shown on a different operator's map (see the table above).
The name causes confusion because several separate businesses use or used it:
- National Grid Electricity Distribution is a local network operator — the one that handles power cuts in its area. Its companies were called Western Power Distribution until September 2022, according to Companies House.
- National Grid Electricity Transmission holds an electricity transmission licence, according to Ofgem's licensee list. Ofgem describes transmission operators as moving energy from where it's generated across the country to the distribution networks.
- The National Energy System Operator (NESO) was established on 1 October 2024, when the former Electricity System Operator was separated from National Grid plc, according to Ofgem.
For a power cut at home, you almost always need your local distribution network operator — which is why 105 exists.
What should I have ready when I report?
- Your postcode and address
- Whether neighbours or street lights are also off
- Whether you've checked your trip switch (only if it's safe to do so)
- Any damage you can see — but keep well away from it. Be Ready warns that electricity at high voltages can jump gaps with no warning.
- A number to call you back on, and whether anyone at home needs extra help
Print the free Power Cut Card for your fridge.
How long will my power cut last?
Your operator's live map or tracker is the best place for an estimated restoration time for your street. As a guide, Ofgem's standards in Great Britain expect power back within 12 hours outside severe weather, 24 hours in storm category 1 and 48 hours in storm category 2 (Ofgem). Our power cuts guide covers keeping warm, food safety and staying safe while you wait.
Can I get compensation?
If a cut lasts longer than the standards allow, Ofgem's rules say your network operator should usually pay you automatically. Some payments, such as the one for repeated power cuts, must be claimed. See our power cut compensation guide for amounts and how to claim, including the different rules in Northern Ireland.
Extra help: the Priority Services Register
If someone at home is older, disabled, has a long-term condition, relies on medical equipment or has young children, join the Priority Services Register. Ofgem says both your supplier and your network operator keep one, and support can include priority help in an emergency and, wherever possible, advance notice of planned power cuts. See our Priority Services Register guide.
Limitations
This page is general information, not professional advice, and it isn't a live service — always check your network operator's own website for current power cuts. Follow official instructions, keep away from damaged equipment and fallen power lines, and call 999 if anyone is in danger. Arrangements differ in Northern Ireland, where NIE Networks runs the network and 105 doesn't apply.
Turn this guide into a written plan
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Frequently asked questions
Who is my electricity network operator?
It depends on where you live, not who your supplier is. Ofgem points people to the Energy Networks Association website to find their local operator, or you can call 105 free in England, Scotland and Wales and you'll be connected to the right one.
Should I call my supplier or my network operator in a power cut?
For an unplanned power cut, contact your network operator, because it runs the wires. Ofgem says to contact your energy supplier instead if the problem is caused by a faulty meter.
Is there a national power cut map for the whole UK?
Each network operator publishes its own live map for its area. Use the table on this page to find your operator's official map; we don't show live data here.
Is 105 free?
Yes. Ofgem describes 105 as a free call that puts you through to your electricity network operator. It works in England, Scotland and Wales, not Northern Ireland.
Who do I call in Northern Ireland?
NIE Networks runs the network in Northern Ireland. Report a power cut on 03457 643 643, online, or check its Powercheck map.
Sources
- Ofgem — Check if you can get a payment for a power cut
- Ofgem — Map: who operates the electricity distribution network
- Ofgem — List of all electricity licensees (30 September 2026)
- Ofgem — Join your supplier's Priority Services Register
- Ofgem — Decision on separation of the Electricity System Operator
- Companies House — National Grid Electricity Distribution (West Midlands) plc
- Be Ready (GOV.UK) — Power cuts
- SSEN — Power cuts and emergencies
- UK Power Networks DSO
- UK Power Networks — Current power cuts list
- Electricity North West — About us
- Electricity North West — Power cuts
- SP Energy Networks — response to CMA EV charging market study (GOV.UK)
- Milton Keynes City Council — Emergencies: what to do
- NIE Networks — Power cuts