105
Free national fault line
Free, 24/7
SSEN
Your DNO
serves Argyll and Bute
6+
towns covered
incl. Oban, Dunoon, Helensburgh
up to £150+
Ofgem compensation
for cuts over 24h
Live outage map for Argyll and Bute
The map shows incidents reported by users in real time, centred on Argyll and Bute. Zoom in on your street to check whether a cut is your home only or a wider network fault — when neighbours are also dark, it is a SSEN job.
Highly indented coastline, multiple sea lochs, and around 25 inhabited islands fed by sub-sea cables. Atlantic storms hit the West Coast and Hebrides first — Storm Isha (January 2024) and Storm Babet (October 2023) both caused multi-day outages on Mull and Islay.
Live Power Outages in the UK
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Report a power cut in Argyll and Bute
Seeing a cut the map hasn't caught yet? Add it in seconds. Your report is anonymous and appears on the live map above so neighbours in Argyll and Bute know what's going on.
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Power cuts by town in Argyll and Bute
Pick your town for local outage reports, the live map and your network operator's fault line.
Why the power goes out in Argyll and Bute
Argyll and Bute spans the entire western seaboard from Helensburgh out to the Inner Hebrides islands of Mull, Islay and Jura. SSEN's North licence covers the whole council. Highly indented coastline, multiple sea lochs, and around 25 inhabited islands fed by sub-sea cables.
Weather and terrain. Atlantic storms hit the West Coast and Hebrides first — Storm Isha (January 2024) and Storm Babet (October 2023) both caused multi-day outages on Mull and Islay.
How the network is run. SSEN depots at Oban and Helensburgh dispatch engineers and coordinate sub-sea cable repairs. Islands like Coll, Tiree and Colonsay sit at the end of long sub-sea cables that occasionally take days to fix.
A local quirk worth knowing. Tiree, Coll and Jura have dedicated backup diesel generators that SSEN can dispatch by ferry — these have kept islands supplied during the worst Atlantic storms of recent winters.
What to do when the power goes out at home in Argyll and Bute
Check whether neighbours are affected
Look at the street lights and the houses opposite. If they're on, your fault is inside your home — check the consumer unit. If they're out too, it is a SSEN network fault: call 105.
Dial 105 or 0800 300 999
Have your full postcode ready. Ask the operator for an estimated time of restoration (ETR) and a fault reference number — both make any later compensation claim faster.
Unplug sensitive electronics
Unplug TVs, routers, computers and consoles to protect them from a surge when supply returns. Leave one light switched on so you'll know visually when the power is back.
Log start and end times
A cut over 24 hours in normal weather entitles you to £75 from SSEN under Ofgem's Guaranteed Standards. Severe weather has higher thresholds and a £2,000 cap. Keep a written log with photos — most payments arrive automatically within 10 working days.
The Selectra expert answers your questions on power cuts in Argyll and Bute
Always to your Distribution Network Operator, not your supplier. In Argyll and Bute that is SSEN. Dial 105 (Free national fault line) — free, 24/7 — or call SSEN directly on 0800 300 999.
Atlantic storms hit the West Coast and Hebrides first — Storm Isha (January 2024) and Storm Babet (October 2023) both caused multi-day outages on Mull and Islay. SSEN depots at Oban and Helensburgh dispatch engineers and coordinate sub-sea cable repairs. Islands like Coll, Tiree and Colonsay sit at the end of long sub-sea cables that occasionally take days to fix.
Yes. Under Ofgem's Guaranteed Standards of Performance, domestic customers in Argyll and Bute receive £75 after 24 hours off in normal weather, plus £40 every additional 12 hours up to £300. Severe-weather events have higher thresholds and a £2,000 cap. Payment is normally automatic from SSEN within 10 working days — claim within 30 days if it doesn't arrive.
SSEN announces planned cuts by letter (and increasingly text or email) 2 to 8 days in advance. Most run 8am to 6pm and last 2 to 8 hours. Planned cuts do not qualify for Ofgem compensation unless your DNO failed to give adequate notice (a £40 payment applies then).
Power cuts in nearby areas
Other counties close to Argyll and Bute — useful if your storm or fault crosses council boundaries.
Inverclyde
SP Energy Networks
West Dunbartonshire
SP Energy Networks
North Ayrshire
SP Energy Networks
Renfrewshire
SP Energy Networks
East Renfrewshire
SP Energy Networks
South Ayrshire
SP Energy Networks
Glasgow City
SP Energy Networks
East Dunbartonshire
SP Energy Networks
Other counties served by SSEN
Same operator, same emergency number, similar restoration patterns and compensation framework.