The UK electricity distribution networks
Whoever you buy electricity from, one network owns the wires that bring it to your home. Great Britain is split between six distribution network operators, and Northern Ireland has its own, NIE Networks. Tap the map to find the DNO that powers your area, and the one you call in a power cut.
Tap a bolt for its network, or a landmass to find yours.
Seven networks, one country
Which network owns your wires
Your DNO is set by your postcode, not your supplier. Open the guide for the one that covers your area.
Largest by customers
UK Power Networks
Covers London, the South East and the East of England.
The biggest DNO by customer numbers, running the wires across London, the South East and the East of England.
Read the guideLargest by area
National Grid Electricity Distribution
Covers the Midlands, the South West and South Wales.
Formerly Western Power Distribution, the largest DNO by area, covering the Midlands, the South West and South Wales.
Read the guideNorth West England
Electricity North West
Covers Greater Manchester, Lancashire and Cumbria.
Owns and runs the distribution network across Greater Manchester, Lancashire and Cumbria.
Read the guideNorth East and Yorkshire
Northern Powergrid
Covers the North East of England and Yorkshire.
Owns the wires across the North East of England and Yorkshire, around 8 million people.
Read the guideTwo licence areas
SP Energy Networks
Covers Merseyside, Cheshire, North Wales and southern Scotland.
Runs two areas: Merseyside, Cheshire and North Wales, plus central and southern Scotland.
Read the guideNorth and South
SSEN Distribution
Covers the North of Scotland and central southern England.
Two areas at opposite ends of Britain: the North of Scotland and central southern England.
Read the guideNIE Networks
Northern Ireland
Covers all of Northern Ireland.
NIE Networks owns the entire electricity distribution network in Northern Ireland, regulated by the Utility Regulator, not Ofgem.
Read the guideLast updated: July 2026. Network ownership and licence boundaries change. Always confirm directly with the operator for your postcode.
In short: a distribution network operator (DNO) owns and maintains the wires, poles and substations that carry electricity to your home, and it is fixed by your address, not by your supplier. Great Britain is run by six DNO groups across 14 licence areas; Northern Ireland has its own, NIE Networks. They are who you call in a power cut, not your supplier.
Your DNO is the company you contact about a power cut, a new connection or work on the network near you, never your supplier. In Great Britain, every power cut goes to the same free number, 105. Northern Ireland is served by NIE Networks instead. This hub maps who owns the wires across the UK and links to the full guide for each network.
Power cut? Call your network, not your supplier
The power cut line is free and answered 24 hours a day. It routes you to the network that owns the wires in your area, whoever you buy electricity from.
Great Britain
105
Northern Ireland (NIE Networks)
03457 643 643
105 works across England, Scotland and Wales. Northern Ireland is not on the 105 service: contact NIE Networks instead.
UK electricity networks FAQ
The Selectra expert answers your questions
A DNO owns and operates the lower-voltage network, the wires, poles, cables and local substations, that carries electricity from the transmission grid to your home. It maintains that network, connects new properties and restores supply after a power cut. It does not sell you electricity or send your bill: a separate supplier does that.
Your DNO is fixed by your address. In Great Britain it is one of six operators: UK Power Networks, National Grid Electricity Distribution, Electricity North West, Northern Powergrid, SP Energy Networks or SSEN. In Northern Ireland it is NIE Networks. Use the map above, or our who is my DNO guide to look it up by postcode.
In Great Britain, call 105 free from any landline or mobile. It routes you automatically to the network that covers your postcode. Northern Ireland is not on the 105 service: call NIE Networks on 03457 643 643 instead. The line is free of charge from a landline and answered 24 hours.
No. The National Grid (and its operator) runs the high-voltage transmission system that moves power long distances. DNOs run the lower-voltage distribution networks that branch off it and reach individual streets and homes. You are connected to a DNO, not directly to the transmission grid.
More on UK energy networks
Who is my DNO?
Look up the network that owns the wires at your postcode.
Independent DNOs (IDNOs)
The last-mile networks that own the wires on most new-build estates.
Gas distribution
The networks that own the gas pipes to your meter, plus Northern Ireland.
Electricity network overview
How transmission and distribution fit together to power your home.