How to get power cut compensation in the UK

The good news is that when these outages happen, you could be entitled to compensation.

Read on to find out about the official regulations set by Ofgem, what counts as a power cut, who’s eligible for power cut compensation in the UK, the potential amounts you could receive, and how to make a claim.

What is a power cut?

A power cut, sometimes also called a power outage, is a temporary interruption to the electricity or gas supply to a specific area. The loss of power prevents the normal flow of energy to your property, so you can’t use your appliances and electrical systems.

These interruptions can be caused by a number of reasons. They’re often the result of a fault within the complex distribution network that transports energy from its source; you can read more about the electricity network in our guide Where Does Electricity Come From?.

Other common causes include severe weather, such as high winds or heavy snow, which can cause physical damage to overhead power lines. Or, in some instances, your network operator may need to schedule a planned outage to carry out essential maintenance or upgrade work on the grid. Whatever the reason, the loss of your energy supply can cause significant disruption.

What is power cut compensation?

Power cut compensation is a standardised payment that you can get if your electricity supply is interrupted for a significant length of time. It’s important to note that this payment is given by your local electricity Distribution Network Operator (DNO) or Gas Distribution Network (GDN), not your energy supplier (the company you pay your energy bills to). The DNO or GDN is the one responsible for the physical infrastructure – the cables, poles and substations – that delivers energy to your property.

This payment acts as an official acknowledgement of the inconvenience caused by an extended outage, recognition that the service provided fell below a guaranteed standard, and compensation for the disruption itself. The framework for standards, known as the Guaranteed Standards of Performance (GSOP), is established and regulated by Ofgem, the UK’s energy regulator.

The Guaranteed Standards of Performance makes sure network operators are held accountable for their performance, and are incentivised to restore supplies as quickly and efficiently as possible. It’s also sometimes called power outage compensation, and is separate from any claims you might make on a home insurance policy for specific financial losses, like the value of spoiled food in your freezer.

When are you eligible for power cut compensation in the UK for electricity?

Eligibility for power cut compensation isn’t automatic following every outage. Ofgem has created a strict set of criteria that determines what kind of situation a DNO or GDN needs to pay compensation for. These regulations are designed to be fair to both customers and network operators.

The main factors that determine your eligibility for a power cut include:

• The cause of the outage - A key distinction is made between power cuts occurring during ‘normal weather’ and those caused by ‘severe weather’. Network operators are given longer restoration times during extreme weather events before compensation rules apply.

• The number of premises affected - The regulations may differ depending on the scale of the incident. For example, a fault affecting a small number of properties will have a different restoration target compared to a more widespread issue.

• The duration of the outage - Your power must be cut off for a specific length of time before you qualify for a payment. A brief outage of only a few hours won’t usually meet the eligibility threshold.

There are also specific occasions when you’d be ineligible for compensation, even if you meet the above requirements. These include:

• If the power cut was caused by your actions, or by someone else at your property.

• If the fault lies with your own internal wiring or electrical equipment.

• If you were given the required advance notice for a planned power cut (two days for an electrical outage, seven days for gas).

• If it’s not safe or practical for the network to restore the supply, for example, during a major floor or other access issue.

How long does a power cut have to last before you can claim compensation?

It varies based on weather conditions at the time of the incident.

Under what are officially classed as ‘normal weather conditions’, the eligibility period is shorter than for ‘severe weather conditions’. Likewise, a fault affecting a smaller number of homes has a shorter eligibility period than one that affects a larger number of homes.

Normal weather conditions:

• If a single fault affects the electricity of fewer than 5,000 homes, you’re typically eligible for compensation if your power is off for 12 hours or more.

• For a more widespread fault affecting the electricity of more than 5,000 homes, you become eligible if the power is off for 24 hours or more.

Severe weather conditions:

Ofgem uses specific network-based criteria to define a severe weather event, which is separate from Met Office weather warnings. Your DNO will declare an official storm category based on the level of impact.

• Storm category 1 - You can claim compensation if your electricity is off for 24 hours or more.

• Storm category 2 (for the most extreme and widespread events) - You can claim compensation if you’re without electricity for 48 hours or more.

How much power cut compensation can I get?

The compensation amounts are set by Ofgem and depend on the circumstances and total duration of the outage. Here’s the compensation you can get for electricity power cuts.

Normal weather conditions:

• If fewer than 5,000 homes are affected - You can receive £95 if your power is off for more than 12 hours. An additional £40 is paid for each subsequent 12-hour period without power, up to a maximum of £360.

• If more than 5,000 homes are affected - The same payments as above apply, but eligibility only begins when your power is off for more than 24 hours. You can then get an extra £45 for each additional 12 hours of being without electricity, up to a total of £390.

Severe weather conditions:

• Storm category 1 - You can receive £85 if your power is off for 24 hours or more. You’ll then get an extra £45 for every six hours from then on, up to a maximum of £2,165.

• Storm category 2 - The same payments as Storm Category 1 apply, but eligibility only begins when your power is off for 48 hours or more.

If the power cut was a planned one, but your GNO didn’t provide you at least two days’ notice, you could be eligible for £40 in compensation.

Can I claim compensation if my gas is cut off?

Yes – for an unplanned interruption, you could be entitled to £60 for each 24-hour period you’re without gas.

If the interruption was planned, but your GDN didn’t provide you at least seven days’ notice, you could be eligible for a £40 payment, too.

How to claim compensation for a power cut

In many cases, particularly for long outages, you might not need to do anything. DNOs and GDNs are often required to reach out to you and pay this compensation automatically, either by cheque or via bank transfer.

Generally, if an electricity power cut was caused by bad weather, you should be paid by them within four weeks of the electricity coming back on, according to Citizens Advice. If it wasn’t caused by bad weather, you should be paid within 10 days. For gas, the timeframe is 10 days.

If you haven’t been paid within this time, you can contact your distribution network to make a claim, and you can also get an extra £40 in compensation for delayed payment.

You must claim within the following times:

• Unplanned power cuts - Three months (but no time limit if you’re on the Priority Services Register).

• Planned, but the network didn’t give enough notice - One month.

Check out our DNO and GDN guide to see how to find your local networks, and how to get in touch with them.

Preparation is key

While power cuts are an unavoidable part of maintaining a national energy grid, there are solid, regulator-backed systems in place to compensate consumers for significant disruption.

By understanding your rights, the specific eligibility requirements, and the claims process, you can make sure you get any payment you’re entitled.

So while your supply is running well, check who your DNO and GDN are now, read up on your rights, and prepare a little emergency kit with essentials like a torch, spare batteries, s power bank, and non-perishable foods to keep you going while your network operators get things back up and running.

Visit our energy page for more information and helpful guides about your energy supply.