105
Free national fault line
Free, 24/7
UK Power Networks
Your DNO
serves City of London
5+
towns covered
incl. Bank, Liverpool Street, Moorgate
up to £150+
Ofgem compensation
for cuts over 24h
Live outage map for City of London
The map shows incidents reported by users in real time, centred on City of London. 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 UK Power Networks job.
One square mile of Roman-walled City between the Thames and Liverpool Street, almost entirely commercial and almost entirely underground for power purposes. Weather rarely causes City outages because every cable is below pavement; the only real risk is a primary substation failure or a heat-related cable rating issue during August heatwaves.
Live Power Outages in the UK
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Report a power cut in City of London
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 City of London know what's going on.
Thank you. Your report has been submitted and will help others in City of London.
Reports are anonymous. We use your address to place the marker on the map and never display your personal details.
Why the power goes out in City of London
The Square Mile is the most reliable patch of grid in the UK: dense triple-redundant cabling, multiple primary substations and 24/7 monitoring keep the City's banking infrastructure on supply during all but the most severe network events. One square mile of Roman-walled City between the Thames and Liverpool Street, almost entirely commercial and almost entirely underground for power purposes.
Weather and terrain. Weather rarely causes City outages because every cable is below pavement; the only real risk is a primary substation failure or a heat-related cable rating issue during August heatwaves.
How the network is run. UKPN's City network has multiple ring-main feeds so that a single cable fault is normally invisible — supply switches automatically without anyone noticing. Outages here usually mean either the substation itself has failed or an external contractor has cut a major cable during construction.
A local quirk worth knowing. When the lights do go out in the City, the impact on financial markets means the DNO crews are dispatched with the same urgency reserved for hospitals.
What to do when the power goes out at home in City of London
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 UK Power Networks network fault: call 105.
Dial 105 or 0800 31 63 105
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 UK Power 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 City of London
Always to your Distribution Network Operator, not your supplier. In City of London that is UK Power Networks. Dial 105 (Free national fault line) — free, 24/7 — or call UK Power Networks directly on 0800 31 63 105.
Weather rarely causes City outages because every cable is below pavement; the only real risk is a primary substation failure or a heat-related cable rating issue during August heatwaves. UKPN's City network has multiple ring-main feeds so that a single cable fault is normally invisible — supply switches automatically without anyone noticing. Outages here usually mean either the substation itself has failed or an external contractor has cut a major cable during construction.
Yes. Under Ofgem's Guaranteed Standards of Performance, domestic customers in City of London 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 UK Power Networks within 10 working days — claim within 30 days if it doesn't arrive.
UK Power 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 City of London — useful if your storm or fault crosses council boundaries.
Greater London
UK Power Networks
Hertfordshire
UK Power Networks
Surrey
SSEN
Bedfordshire
UK Power Networks
East Sussex
UK Power Networks
West Sussex
SSEN
Essex
UK Power Networks
Buckinghamshire
SSEN
Other counties served by UK Power Networks
Same operator, same emergency number, similar restoration patterns and compensation framework.