105
Free national fault line
Free, 24/7
National Grid Electricity Distribution
Your DNO
serves Cardiff
1+
towns covered
incl. Cardiff, Cardiff Bay, Whitchurch
up to £150+
Ofgem compensation
for cuts over 24h
Live outage map for Cardiff
The map shows incidents reported by users in real time, centred on Cardiff. 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 National Grid Electricity Distribution job.
Coastal city of 370,000 on the Severn Estuary, with the Garth Hill rising to the north. Atlantic storms hit Cardiff directly; severe storms have caused flooding in Cardiff Bay and the Taff valley. Storm Dennis (February 2020) saw widespread Taff flooding.
Live Power Outages in the UK
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Report a power cut in Cardiff
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 Cardiff know what's going on.
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Power cuts by town in Cardiff
Pick your town for local outage reports, the live map and your network operator's fault line.
Why the power goes out in Cardiff
Cardiff is the Welsh capital and the densest urban network inside NGED's South Wales licence area, covering the entire city and Cardiff Bay redevelopment. Coastal city of 370,000 on the Severn Estuary, with the Garth Hill rising to the north.
Weather and terrain. Atlantic storms hit Cardiff directly; severe storms have caused flooding in Cardiff Bay and the Taff valley. Storm Dennis (February 2020) saw widespread Taff flooding.
How the network is run. NGED operates from depots at Cardiff (main) and Llanishen. The Bay redevelopment has unusually generous underground cabling.
A local quirk worth knowing. The Principality Stadium and BBC Cymru Wales Broadcasting House both have dedicated protected supplies — major Cardiff outages do not affect broadcast or international match operations.
What to do when the power goes out at home in Cardiff
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 National Grid Electricity Distribution network fault: call 105.
Dial 105 or 0800 6783 105
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 National Grid Electricity Distribution 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 Cardiff
Always to your Distribution Network Operator, not your supplier. In Cardiff that is National Grid Electricity Distribution. Dial 105 (Free national fault line) — free, 24/7 — or call National Grid Electricity Distribution directly on 0800 6783 105.
Atlantic storms hit Cardiff directly; severe storms have caused flooding in Cardiff Bay and the Taff valley. Storm Dennis (February 2020) saw widespread Taff flooding. NGED operates from depots at Cardiff (main) and Llanishen. The Bay redevelopment has unusually generous underground cabling.
Yes. Under Ofgem's Guaranteed Standards of Performance, domestic customers in Cardiff 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 National Grid Electricity Distribution within 10 working days — claim within 30 days if it doesn't arrive.
National Grid Electricity Distribution 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 Cardiff — useful if your storm or fault crosses council boundaries.
Caerphilly
National Grid Electricity Distribution
Newport
National Grid Electricity Distribution
Vale of Glamorgan
National Grid Electricity Distribution
Torfaen
National Grid Electricity Distribution
Rhondda Cynon Taf
National Grid Electricity Distribution
Blaenau Gwent
National Grid Electricity Distribution
Merthyr Tydfil
National Grid Electricity Distribution
Bridgend
National Grid Electricity Distribution
Other counties served by National Grid Electricity Distribution
Same operator, same emergency number, similar restoration patterns and compensation framework.