03457 643 643
NIE Networks fault line
Free, 24/7
NIE Networks
Your DNO
serves Belfast
1+
towns covered
incl. Belfast city centre, Falls, Shankill
up to £150+
Ofgem compensation
for cuts over 24h
Live outage map for Belfast
The map shows incidents reported by users in real time, centred on Belfast. 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 NIE Networks job.
Compact city of 345,000 on the Lagan at the head of Belfast Lough, with the Black Mountain and Cave Hill rising to the north west. Atlantic storms reach Belfast through the Lagan valley; the city is sheltered from the worst Causeway Coast weather.
Live Power Outages in the UK
Unable to load outage data. Please try again later.
Report a power cut in Belfast
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 Belfast know what's going on.
Thank you. Your report has been submitted and will help others in Belfast.
Reports are anonymous. We use your address to place the marker on the map and never display your personal details.
Power cuts by town in Belfast
Pick your town for local outage reports, the live map and your network operator's fault line.
Why the power goes out in Belfast
Belfast is Northern Ireland's capital and the densest urban network inside NIE Networks' coverage. The city has multiple primary substations and triple-redundant feeders in the central business district. Compact city of 345,000 on the Lagan at the head of Belfast Lough, with the Black Mountain and Cave Hill rising to the north west.
Weather and terrain. Atlantic storms reach Belfast through the Lagan valley; the city is sheltered from the worst Causeway Coast weather.
How the network is run. NIE Networks operates multiple depots across the city. The Titanic Quarter and Harland & Wolff site have dedicated heavy industrial supply.
A local quirk worth knowing. Belfast's primary supply ring (multiple intakes from Kilroot and Coolkeeragh power stations) means a single substation failure in the city is normally invisible — supply switches automatically without customer disruption.
What to do when the power goes out at home in Belfast
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 NIE Networks network fault: call 03457 643 643.
Dial 03457 643 643
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 NIE Networks 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 Belfast
Always to your Distribution Network Operator, not your supplier. In Belfast that is NIE Networks. Dial 03457 643 643 (NIE Networks fault line) — free, 24/7.
Atlantic storms reach Belfast through the Lagan valley; the city is sheltered from the worst Causeway Coast weather. NIE Networks operates multiple depots across the city. The Titanic Quarter and Harland & Wolff site have dedicated heavy industrial supply.
Yes. Under Ofgem's Guaranteed Standards of Performance, domestic customers in Belfast 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 NIE Networks within 10 working days — claim within 30 days if it doesn't arrive.
NIE Networks 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 Belfast — useful if your storm or fault crosses council boundaries.
Lisburn and Castlereagh
NIE Networks
Mid and East Antrim
NIE Networks
Antrim and Newtownabbey
NIE Networks
Ards and North Down
NIE Networks
Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon
NIE Networks
Newry, Mourne and Down
NIE Networks
Causeway Coast and Glens
NIE Networks
Mid Ulster
NIE Networks
Other counties served by NIE Networks
Same operator, same emergency number, similar restoration patterns and compensation framework.