Which Sites Are Protected From Emergency Disconnection?

If the country ever faces a national electricity shortage, a very limited number of sites are protected from emergency power cuts. These are typically locations deemed to be critical national infrastructure, such as air traffic control centres and major hospital facilities with accident and emergency departments. Domestic properties are not eligible¹. Exemptions are not automatic: organisations have to apply for protected status¹.

That means no home is guaranteed power in a cut. Households, including those on the Priority Services Register, would be part of a planned power cut rota, because residential customers are not automatically protected¹. The register does not exempt you, but it does mean your supplier knows you need extra support if your gas, electricity or water supply is cut off³.

The practical answer for an ordinary household is to plan for the power going off, register for the extra help you are entitled to, and know how to report a cut. Call 105 to report a power cut or make planned power cut enquiries⁴. Keep the number handy or save it into your mobile phone so that you can report a power cut or call for information or advice⁵.

No home is guaranteed power, but the register gets you extra help

The national procedure sets out "protected sites" which the government exempts from emergency planned power cuts⁸. The list is deliberately short. It covers critical national infrastructure, like air traffic control centres and some major hospital facilities with accident and emergency departments¹. Domestic properties are not eligible¹. Businesses without backup generation that are not protected would also be part of a rota¹.

For households, the realistic protection is not exemption but support. The Priority Services Register is designed to keep the most vulnerable customers up to date in a power cut and provide additional support if needed⁹. If you are eligible to join and your gas, electricity or water supply is cut off, your suppliers will know you need extra support³. National Grid provides additional support during a power cut for the most vulnerable customers through the Priority Service Register¹⁰.

Be clear about the limit. Emergency power cuts would affect all customers, including those signed up to the free Priority Services Register¹¹. The register changes how you are looked after, not whether the power stays on.

Who can join the Priority Services Register

You can join if you or someone you know may need extra support in a power cut¹². The register is aimed at customers who might be more vulnerable in a power cut, such as if they use medical or mobility equipment, have a disability, or are over the age of 65 or have children under the age of 5⁹.

Sign up for the Priority Services Register in case of power cuts¹³. Different network operators run their own versions: SP Energy Networks, for example, offers an Extra Care Register for people in need of extra support during a power cut¹⁴. If you are unsure whether you qualify, ask your supplier or network operator rather than assuming you do not.

Keep your details current. Make sure your online account details with your network operator are up to date, so you may get direct messages to your mobile device updating you about a power cut¹⁵. The register is designed to keep the most vulnerable customers up to date in a power cut⁹, and that only works if the contact details held are right.

What extra support registered households get during a power cut

Registered households get additional support during a power cut¹⁶. In practice this means the network operator knows, when supply fails, that someone at the address may need help, and can prioritise welfare contact and updates. National Grid keeps additional operational and engineering staff ready and on stand-by, plus extra Contact and Control Centre operatives, during winter¹⁶.

Support also comes through information. Network operators aim to notify customers via media and social media channels¹⁷, and direct messages to your mobile device may follow if your account details are current¹⁵. National Grid provides live power cut information through its power cuts map, where you can find out about power cuts in your area¹⁶.

For longer outages, network operators run welfare arrangements. National Grid says that for its most vulnerable customers it provides additional support during a power cut, and that anyone in need of extra support can sign up to its Extra Care Register⁸. If a long cut affects you, ask your operator what welfare support is open nearby.

Planned power cuts: notice by letter and text

Most planned interruptions are routine engineering work, not an emergency. From time to time National Grid carries out work on the electricity distribution system, for example to maintain the network or connect new supplies¹⁸. If your distribution network operator cuts off your power for a pre-planned reason, such as engineering work, they have to give you two days' notice, usually via a letter⁷. One operator advertises 10 days' notice about a planned power cut¹⁹.

You will receive either a letter in advance or a text on the day of the planned power cut if the work has been cancelled⁴. That cancellation message matters: do not strip the freezer or book time off work until you have checked.

Emergency rota cuts are different. Planned Emergency Power Cuts can take place without warning if SONI instructs NIE Networks to reduce demand immediately to protect the electricity system and avert longer term issues²⁰. NIE Networks aims to notify customers via media and social media channels beforehand¹⁷.

Medical equipment and vital phones: plan before the power goes off

If you use medical equipment that requires a power supply, make a plan with your care provider and/or clinical care team about what will happen in a power cut, including what action to take and who to contact²¹. If you use electrically powered medical equipment, make sure you have a plan, get a backup power supply if possible, inform carers and prepare essential supplies²².

Charge mobile phones, power banks and any back-up batteries for medical equipment in case there is a power cut²³. Keep important documents safe and handy¹³. If you have a business where telephone services are vital, check whether your system will operate when the electricity is switched off¹⁸.

Reporting a power cut: call 105

Call 105 to report a power cut or make planned power cut enquiries²⁴. You can report a power cut online at powercut105.com or by calling 105⁶. The Powercut 105 website also helps you find your supplier²⁵. National Grid can be reached on 105 or 0800 6783 105²⁶.

Before you ring, check whether the problem is yours alone. Know where your household fuses and trip switches are so you can check if the problem is with your electrics only²⁷. If it is not, report it and keep your fridge and freezer doors closed to protect the contents²⁸.

National Grid Electricity Distribution looks after the cables and equipment that carry power to your home; it is not your energy supplier²⁹. That distinction decides who you ring: your supplier for billing, the network operator for faults and restoration. For more on the steps after a cut, see what to do when the electricity goes off and how to report a loss of electricity.