Wales Power Cut Checker
Gwiriwr Torri Trydan Cymru — Find Local Outages, Network Operators & Emergency 105 Services
Electricity distribution in Wales is divided across two independent network operators. Use this utility to check real-time power outages in your area, confirm your distribution network operator (DNO), track planned network improvements, and access 24/7 emergency dispatch numbers.
Check Power Cuts in Your Area
Enter your Welsh postcode to identify your electricity network operator, track live outages, and access direct emergency reporting.
Interactive Wales Power Cut Map
Geographical distribution of active incidents, planned maintenance, and network distribution territories in Wales.
Loading Wales electricity network map...
View Text List of Active Regional Network Incidents (Accessible Alternative)
| Incident Ref | Operator | Category | Status | Estimated Restoration | Official Action |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Checking current verified incidents... | |||||
Electricity Distribution Network Operators in Wales
Understand who manages the power grid in your part of Wales and why your energy supplier is not the company that fixes network power cuts.
SP Energy Networks
SP Manweb plc (Distribution License Area 13)
Responsible for the electrical distribution network across Anglesey, Gwynedd, Conwy, Denbighshire, Flintshire, Wrexham, northern/central Powys, and north Ceredigion (including Aberystwyth).
- Emergency Line: 105 / 0800 001 5400
- Official Portal: spenergynetworks.co.uk
National Grid Electricity Distribution
National Grid ED (South Wales) plc (Distribution License Area 22)
Responsible for the electricity grid across Cardiff, Swansea, Newport, Pembrokeshire, Carmarthenshire, the Vale of Glamorgan, Bridgend, the South Wales Valleys, Monmouthshire, and southern Powys.
- Emergency Line: 105 / 0800 6783 105
- Official Portal: powercuts.nationalgrid.co.uk
How to Report a Power Cut in Wales
If your electricity has gone off, or you have spotted a hazard with overhead lines or an electrical substation, dial 105 immediately. This free service routes you directly to your local Welsh distribution network operator.
Direct Network Numbers:
- North & Mid Wales (SP Energy Networks): 0800 001 5400
- South Wales (National Grid ED): 0800 6783 105
When to Call 999 instead of 105
Only dial 999 in an emergency involving immediate danger to life — such as a downed overhead power cable sparking on the road, an electrical fire, or an explosion at a local substation. Never approach a fallen cable; stay at least 15 meters away.
What to Do During a Power Cut: Practical Safety Checklist
Essential advice for Welsh households to stay safe, protect appliances, and preserve food during an electricity outage.
Check Your Consumer Unit (Trip Switch)
Before assuming the whole street is off, check your modern fuse box (consumer unit). If an individual residual current device (RCD) or miniature circuit breaker (MCB) has tripped to the OFF position, switch off faulty appliances and reset the switch.
Check Neighbors & Street Lighting
Look outside to see if neighboring properties or streetlights are dark. If surrounding properties have power, the issue may be isolated to your meter or incoming service fuse. Call 105 for technician dispatch.
Protect Food in Fridges & Freezers
Keep fridge and freezer doors firmly shut. A standard domestic freezer will maintain safe freezing temperatures for up to 24 hours without power if unopened. An unopened refrigerator will keep food chilled for approximately 4 hours.
Unplug Sensitive Electronics
Switch off sensitive electronics such as computers, gaming consoles, and smart TVs to protect them from voltage spikes when the high-voltage grid is re-energized. Leave a single ceiling light switched ON so you know when power returns.
Carbon Monoxide & Generator Safety
NEVER operate a petrol or diesel generator, camping stove, or charcoal grill indoors, in a garage, or near an open window. Colorless, odorless carbon monoxide gas can build up rapidly to lethal concentrations.
Downed Overhead Cables Danger
Never approach or touch any downed power cables, fallen utility poles, or trees entangled with wires. Always assume lines are energized and hazardous. Keep at least 15 meters (50 feet) away and dial 999 immediately.
Priority Services Register: Extra Support When Power Fails
The Priority Services Register (PSR) is a free, confidential service provided by electricity network operators and energy suppliers across Great Britain. It ensures that vulnerable residents receive extra care, direct communication, and priority welfare support during power interruptions.
Who is Eligible in Wales?
- Individuals relying on life-supporting medical equipment (e.g. oxygen concentrators, home dialysis, nebulizers, electric mobility aids).
- Pensioners and elderly citizens living alone or with limited mobility.
- Households with infants or very young children under 12 months.
- Residents with chronic illness, blindness, hearing loss, or cognitive conditions (e.g. dementia).
- Temporary vulnerability (e.g. recovering from major surgery or hospital discharge).
Disclaimer: TheNational.Wales is an independent news and public-information platform. We do not operate or manage the Priority Services Register. Enrollment is free and processed directly by your electricity network operator or energy retailer.
Frequently Asked Questions About Power Cuts in Wales
Clear, authoritative answers regarding electricity network faults, reporting, and customer rights.
Call 105 from any landline or mobile phone. It is a free national service that automatically connects you directly to the local network operator for your area—SP Energy Networks in North/Mid Wales or National Grid in South Wales. You do not need to know your account number or who supplies your energy bill.
105 is the national telephone number set up by Great Britain’s electricity network operators to make reporting power cuts and electrical network emergencies simple and free. It works regardless of who you pay your electricity bill to.
Wales is divided between two network operators: SP Energy Networks (operating under license as SP Manweb plc) serves North Wales and parts of Mid Wales. National Grid Electricity Distribution (operating under license as National Grid Electricity Distribution (South Wales) plc) serves South Wales and parts of southern Powys.
Your energy supplier (e.g. British Gas, Octopus Energy, E.ON Next, OVO) sells you electricity, measures your usage, and sends your bills. Your Distribution Network Operator (DNO) owns, inspects, and repairs the physical infrastructure: the pylons, substations, underground cables, and wooden utility poles.
First, check your consumer unit (fuse box). Modern consumer units have trip switches. If an individual switch or main RCD switch is down, an internal appliance or faulty circuit may have caused a trip. If the switches are all on and your neighbors have power, your individual incoming service cable or fuse may be damaged. Call 105 immediately to report it.
Under Ofgem Guaranteed Standards of Service, if your electricity is cut off unexpectedly during normal weather conditions, you are entitled to £95 if power is not restored after 12 hours, plus £40 for each additional 12-hour period. During severe storm events, different restoration categories apply.
Data Sources, Transparency & Methodology
The Wales Power Cut Checker queries verified public datasets and official open APIs to determine network status:
- Geographical Postcode Resolution: Powered by Postcodes.io, leveraging Ordnance Survey Code-Point Open and Office for National Statistics (ONS) data under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
- Live Outage Feeds (South Wales): Harvested directly from National Grid Electricity Distribution Connected Data open portal under Open Government Licence v3.0.
- Network Routing & Incident Dispatch (North & Mid Wales): Verified against SP Energy Networks distribution boundaries and connected directly to official SPEN emergency dispatch.
- Emergency Routing: Compliant with the UK national 105 standard established by the Energy Networks Association (ENA).