Planned emergency power cuts

In the event that they are required, National Grid ESO will instruct Distribution Network Operators (DNOs) to reduce demand on the electricity network by temporarily switching off some customers’ supplies in a safe and controlled way, until there is enough electricity for everyone. In most cases this will be announced a few days ahead of the power cut.

The power network in Great Britain is sectioned into alphabetical blocks indicated by a single letter, and all customer’s homes and businesses have an allocated ‘block letter’. This can be used to action a planned emergency power cut through a specific rota for each ‘block letter’ for a set period to manage demand. Customers can find their block letter at the top of their energy bill/statement, or alternatively you can find it on the emergency power cuts website or by calling 105.

Typically, planned power cuts would be kept to a three-hour period until the shortage is resolved and the network can safely go back to normal. This would be managed by a national timetable spread across the UK. The whole country would not be without power at once.

If emergency power cuts are needed this will be communicated through national and local news channels and on the Government’s social media pages, ideally a few days before a power cut is needed but this could be as short as 30 minutes’ notice depending on the situation.

We have no control over the scheduling of emergency power cuts, but we are still focused on supporting our customers.  Crucially, we need to ensure that all vulnerable customers are on our Priority Services Register (PSR), which we share with the Distribution Network Operator’s to help them manage customers in emergency situations. However, being on the PSR does not mean that you will not be disconnected so it is important to be prepared.

Customers who should be on the PSR are those who need a continuous source of electricity for medical reasons or are deemed vulnerable for other reasons.  If you are not currently on our Priority Services Register and think you, or someone you know, qualifies as a vulnerable customer please let us know by registering here.

Whilst emergency power cuts are unlikely, it is important to be prepared.

If you rely on electricity to power medical equipment it is vital that you have a plan in place and test your back up supply arrangements, so that you are ready if your power is ever affected. We strongly encourage any medical dependent electricity customers to also register for the Priority Services Register here.

It is also useful to follow the key tips below so you can keep warm and safe throughout:

What should I do during a power cut?

For the most up to date advice and information on planned emergency power cuts please visit https://www.powercut105.com

The power network in Great Britain is sectioned into alphabetical blocks indicated by a single letter - all customer’s homes and businesses have an allocated ‘block letter’. Customers can find their block letter at the top of their energy bill/statement, or alternatively you can find it on the emergency power cuts website  https://www.powercut105.com or by calling 105.

There are a number of DNOs across the UK who are responsible for the power lines and infrastructure that connect your home or business to the National Grid network. They are separate businesses to your energy supplier who you pay for your gas and electricity. To find out who your DNO is visit https://www.powercut105.com/findoperator.