105
Free national fault line
Free, 24/7
SP Energy Networks
Your DNO
serves Cheshire
17+
towns covered
incl. Chester, Warrington, Crewe
up to £150+
Ofgem compensation
for cuts over 24h
Live outage map for Cheshire
The map shows incidents reported by users in real time, centred on Cheshire. 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 SP Energy Networks job.
Flat Cheshire Plain in the middle, salt-mining country around Northwich and Winsford, rising to the gritstone Peak District foothills east of Macclesfield. Westerlies coming off Liverpool Bay drop heavy rain on Chester and Ellesmere Port; snow on the Macclesfield moors can block engineer access for hours.
Live Power Outages in the UK
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Report a power cut in Cheshire
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 Cheshire know what's going on.
Thank you. Your report has been submitted and will help others in Cheshire.
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 Cheshire
Pick your town for local outage reports, the live map and your network operator's fault line.
Why the power goes out in Cheshire
Cheshire sits inside the SP Energy Networks Manweb licence area, covering everything from Chester on the Welsh border through the Crewe rail hub to Macclesfield on the Peak District edge. Flat Cheshire Plain in the middle, salt-mining country around Northwich and Winsford, rising to the gritstone Peak District foothills east of Macclesfield.
Weather and terrain. Westerlies coming off Liverpool Bay drop heavy rain on Chester and Ellesmere Port; snow on the Macclesfield moors can block engineer access for hours.
How the network is run. SP Manweb's depot at Hartford handles central Cheshire; Macclesfield and Crewe have smaller satellite depots. The Ellesmere Port refinery has its own private supply with backup links to the public network.
A local quirk worth knowing. Cheshire salt-cavern brine subsidence has historically caused buried-cable strains — Northwich and Winsford see more underground faults per kilometre than the rural plain.
What to do when the power goes out at home in Cheshire
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 SP Energy Networks network fault: call 105.
Dial 105 or 0800 001 5400
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 SP Energy 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 Cheshire
Always to your Distribution Network Operator, not your supplier. In Cheshire that is SP Energy Networks. Dial 105 (Free national fault line) — free, 24/7 — or call SP Energy Networks directly on 0800 001 5400.
Westerlies coming off Liverpool Bay drop heavy rain on Chester and Ellesmere Port; snow on the Macclesfield moors can block engineer access for hours. SP Manweb's depot at Hartford handles central Cheshire; Macclesfield and Crewe have smaller satellite depots. The Ellesmere Port refinery has its own private supply with backup links to the public network.
Yes. Under Ofgem's Guaranteed Standards of Performance, domestic customers in Cheshire 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 SP Energy Networks within 10 working days — claim within 30 days if it doesn't arrive.
SP Energy 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 Cheshire — useful if your storm or fault crosses council boundaries.
Greater Manchester
Electricity North West
Merseyside
SP Energy Networks
Shropshire
National Grid Electricity Distribution
Staffordshire
National Grid Electricity Distribution
Lancashire
Electricity North West
West Midlands
National Grid Electricity Distribution
Derbyshire
National Grid Electricity Distribution
West Yorkshire
Northern Powergrid
Other counties served by SP Energy Networks
Same operator, same emergency number, similar restoration patterns and compensation framework.