Every UK DNO and GDN explained
Your gas and electricity supplier sends the bill. The companies on this page actually move the energy to your meter. Find your DNO and GDN, learn who to call in a power cut and understand how the GB networks fit together.
14
DNOs + GDNs across GB
105
Single emergency number for power cuts
29M
GB electricity connections
23M
GB gas connections (Xoserve)
Your gas and electricity supplier is who sends the bill, but the cables and pipes that bring power to your home belong to a different company. In Great Britain, electricity is delivered by six regional Distribution Network Operators (DNOs) and gas by four Gas Distribution Networks (GDNs). Switching supplier never changes which network owns the line at your address.
Below you can browse every UK distribution operator and transmission body, the region each one covers and the right number to call in a power cut or gas leak. Filter by electricity DNO, gas GDN or transmission to find the operator responsible for your postcode.
The biggest operators
The flagship UK distribution networks
The two largest electricity DNOs and the two largest gas GDNs. Between them they connect the majority of UK homes and businesses to the grid.
UK Power Networks
Electricity DNO
Distributes electricity to London, the East of England and the South East. Around 8.4 million customer connections, the busiest electricity DNO in the country.
Read the full guideNorthern Powergrid
Electricity DNO
Runs the electricity network in Yorkshire and the North East of England. Owned by Berkshire Hathaway Energy, around 3.9 million homes and businesses connected.
Read the full guideCadent
Gas GDN
The UK’s biggest gas distribution network. Cadent moves gas across the North West, the West Midlands, the East of England and North London (around 11 million properties).
Read the full guideSGN
Gas GDN
Scotia Gas Networks delivers gas to Scotland and the South of England, from Brighton up to John o’Groats. Roughly 5.9 million homes and businesses connected.
Read the full guideEvery UK operator
All 15 UK distribution operators and guides
Filter by electricity DNO, gas GDN or transmission and find the operator that runs the wires or pipes at your address.
UK Power Networks
Electricity DNO . London & SE
Distributes electricity to London, the East of England and the South East. Around 8.4 million customer connections, the busiest electricity DNO in the country.
Northern Powergrid
Electricity DNO . Yorkshire & NE
Runs the electricity network in Yorkshire and the North East of England. Owned by Berkshire Hathaway Energy, around 3.9 million homes and businesses connected.
SP Energy Networks
Electricity DNO . Scotland & Wales
ScottishPower-owned DNO for Central and Southern Scotland, Merseyside, Cheshire, North Wales and North Shropshire. Two licensed areas, one operator.
Scottish & Southern Energy Networks
Electricity DNO . SSEN
Two non-contiguous areas: the North of Scotland and Central Southern England. Operated by SSE under the SSEN brand for distribution.
Electricity North West
Electricity DNO . North West
Independent DNO covering Greater Manchester, Lancashire, Cumbria and parts of Cheshire. Around 2.4 million homes and businesses across the North West of England.
Western Power Distribution
Electricity DNO . Now NGED
Historic DNO for the Midlands, the South West and South Wales. Now part of National Grid Electricity Distribution (NGED), serving 7.9 million customers.
Cadent
Gas GDN . Largest GDN
The UK’s biggest gas distribution network. Cadent moves gas across the North West, the West Midlands, the East of England and North London (around 11 million properties).
SGN
Gas GDN . Scotland & South
Scotia Gas Networks delivers gas to Scotland and the South of England, from Brighton up to John o’Groats. Roughly 5.9 million homes and businesses connected.
Northern Gas Networks
Gas GDN . North & Cumbria
Distributes gas across the North of England and Cumbria. Around 2.7 million customer connections, owned by a consortium led by Cheung Kong Infrastructure.
Wales & West Utilities
Gas GDN . Wales & SW
The smallest of the four GDNs by customer numbers, covering Wales and the South West of England. Around 2.5 million homes and businesses on the network.
National Grid
Electricity transmission . High-voltage backbone
Owns and operates the high-voltage electricity transmission system across England and Wales. The motorway of the UK grid, between power stations and the regional DNOs.
SHE Transmission
Electricity transmission . Scottish Highlands
Scottish Hydro Electric Transmission owns the high-voltage transmission network in the north of Scotland, including the connections that bring offshore wind onto the grid.
British Energy
Historical generator . Now EDF Energy
Once the UK’s biggest nuclear generator, acquired by EDF Energy in 2009. Its fleet of advanced gas-cooled reactors still provides a chunk of the UK’s low-carbon power.
What to do in a power cut
Consumer guide . Call 105
Step-by-step: how to confirm an outage, isolate fragile appliances, keep food safe and report the fault to your local DNO. One number for the whole of GB: 105.
Power cut in my area
Live area guide . Live updates
Postcode-based outage lookup powered by the DNOs’ live feeds. Check whether an outage is planned, confirm the restoration time and request priority services support.
Operators at a glance
Who does what on the GB grid
DNOs run the local electricity wires. GDNs run the local gas pipes. Transmission operators handle the high-voltage backbone between power stations and the regional networks.
UK Power Networks
Northern Powergrid
SP Energy Networks
Scottish & Southern Energy Networks
Electricity North West
Western Power Distribution
Cadent
SGN
Northern Gas Networks
Wales & West Utilities
National Grid
SHE Transmission
British Energy
What to do in a power cut
Power cut in my area
Last updated: June 2026. Network ownership, mergers and licence boundaries change. Always confirm directly with the operator for your postcode.
6 things to check
How to find the network behind your meter
Your supplier changes when you switch tariff, your DNO and GDN never do. Six checks to identify the operator that powers your postcode and what to do if something goes wrong.
Use 105 in any power cut
A single nationwide number routes you straight to your local DNO. It is free, works from mobiles and landlines and is monitored 24/7 across England, Scotland and Wales.
Smell gas? Call 0800 111 999
The National Gas Emergency Service is the right number for any gas leak or carbon monoxide concern, whoever your GDN is. Free, 24/7 and covers the whole of GB.
Find your DNO by postcode
Energy Networks Association runs a free DNO and GDN lookup tool. Type your postcode in and it returns the operator, the licence area code and the right phone number.
Check your MPAN for the DNO code
The first two digits of your electricity Supply Number (MPAN) on your bill identify the DNO. 10 = Eastern, 12 = Southern, 14 = Midlands, 16 = Northern Scotland and so on.
You pay your DNO through your bill
Network costs are bundled into your unit rate and standing charge. There is no separate DNO bill, and you cannot switch DNO. Ofgem sets the price control that caps what DNOs can charge.
Priority Services Register (PSR)
Anyone elderly, disabled or with a medical dependency on power should be on the PSR. Free signup with your supplier and your DNO gives you advance notice of planned outages and priority support during faults.
Save these numbers in 2026
Three free numbers to call in an energy emergency
You never have to remember the name of your local DNO or GDN. Three nationwide numbers cover the whole of Great Britain and route you to the right operator automatically.
105
Power cut. Routes to your DNO across the whole of GB, free from mobiles and landlines.
0800 111 999
National Gas Emergency Service. Suspected leak or carbon monoxide concern.
0800 0731 999
SGN’s LPG and Northern Ireland gas escape line, for areas off the GB mainland grid.
Calls to 105 and 0800 111 999 are free from any UK phone. Always leave the building if you smell gas before calling.
Keep exploring
More on UK energy
Found your DNO? Now check who supplies your meter, follow a live outage or read up on how Ofgem regulates the networks.
Live feed
Live UK power outages
Postcode lookup, current outage map and live restoration estimates from every UK DNO in one place.
ExploreSuppliers
Energy providers
Every UK gas and electricity retailer compared: British Gas, Octopus, EDF, E.ON Next, OVO, Scottish Power and the rest.
ExploreRegulation
Energy market & Ofgem
How Ofgem sets the price cap, the role of the Energy Ombudsman, gas safety certificates and collective switching schemes.
ExploreUK distribution FAQ
The Selectra expert answers your questions
Dial 105 from any UK landline or mobile. The call is free and is automatically routed to the Distribution Network Operator (DNO) that runs the electricity wires at your address. The same number works for reporting damaged lines, fallen poles or anything that could be unsafe near the network.
A DNO owns and operates the local low and medium-voltage electricity network that delivers power from the transmission grid to homes and businesses. There are six in Great Britain: UK Power Networks, Northern Powergrid, SP Energy Networks, SSEN, Electricity North West and National Grid Electricity Distribution (formerly Western Power Distribution). You cannot choose your DNO. It is set by your postcode.
No. Network charges are bundled into your unit rate and standing charge, so you only ever pay your retail supplier (British Gas, Octopus, EDF and so on). The supplier passes the distribution cost on to your DNO and GDN behind the scenes. Ofgem sets a price control (RIIO-ED2 for electricity, RIIO-GD2 for gas) that caps how much networks can charge.
Three easy options. Check the first two digits of your MPAN (Supply Number) printed on any electricity bill: each pair of digits maps to a DNO area. Or use the free Energy Networks Association postcode lookup at energynetworks.org. Or simply call 105. The voice system will tell you which DNO is responsible for your address.
The Meter Point Administration Number (MPAN), also called the Supply Number or S-number, is a 21-digit code that uniquely identifies your electricity connection. You will find it printed on your bill, usually in a grid labelled “Supply Number” with an S at the top. The first two digits (the “profile class” aside) point to your DNO licence area. The gas equivalent is the MPRN.
Know your network
Find your DNO and GDN in seconds
Browse all 15 UK distribution operators, check your postcode and save the right emergency number. Switching supplier never changes who runs the cables and pipes to your meter.