105
Free national fault line
Free, 24/7
Northern Powergrid
Your DNO
serves County Durham
12+
towns covered
incl. Durham, Darlington, Bishop Auckland
up to £150+
Ofgem compensation
for cuts over 24h
Live outage map for County Durham
The map shows incidents reported by users in real time, centred on County Durham. 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 Northern Powergrid job.
Pennine uplands in the west, coal-measure villages running east, and the Tees valley around Darlington. Snow on the high Pennine moors (Teesdale, Weardale) routinely brings down overhead lines for 24+ hours; the coastal strip sees North Sea easterlies that ice up the network.
Live Power Outages in the UK
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Report a power cut in County Durham
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 County Durham know what's going on.
Thank you. Your report has been submitted and will help others in County Durham.
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 County Durham
Pick your town for local outage reports, the live map and your network operator's fault line.
Why the power goes out in County Durham
County Durham is the southern half of Northern Powergrid's Northeast licence area, covering Durham city, Darlington and the former pit villages between Consett and Bishop Auckland. Pennine uplands in the west, coal-measure villages running east, and the Tees valley around Darlington.
Weather and terrain. Snow on the high Pennine moors (Teesdale, Weardale) routinely brings down overhead lines for 24+ hours; the coastal strip sees North Sea easterlies that ice up the network.
How the network is run. NPG operates depots at Spennymoor and Tow Law. Many ex-mining villages were originally fed by overhead lines installed in the 1940s and 1950s — a long-term replacement programme is underway.
A local quirk worth knowing. Upper Teesdale villages (Forest-in-Teesdale, Langdon Beck) sit at the end of one of the longest overhead feeders in England and see the worst storm-related cut durations in the North East.
What to do when the power goes out at home in County Durham
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 Northern Powergrid network fault: call 105.
Dial 105 or 0800 668 877
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 Northern Powergrid 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 County Durham
Always to your Distribution Network Operator, not your supplier. In County Durham that is Northern Powergrid. Dial 105 (Free national fault line) — free, 24/7 — or call Northern Powergrid directly on 0800 668 877.
Snow on the high Pennine moors (Teesdale, Weardale) routinely brings down overhead lines for 24+ hours; the coastal strip sees North Sea easterlies that ice up the network. NPG operates depots at Spennymoor and Tow Law. Many ex-mining villages were originally fed by overhead lines installed in the 1940s and 1950s — a long-term replacement programme is underway.
Yes. Under Ofgem's Guaranteed Standards of Performance, domestic customers in County Durham 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 Northern Powergrid within 10 working days — claim within 30 days if it doesn't arrive.
Northern Powergrid 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 County Durham — useful if your storm or fault crosses council boundaries.
Tyne and Wear
Northern Powergrid
Northumberland
Northern Powergrid
North Yorkshire
Northern Powergrid
West Yorkshire
Northern Powergrid
Cumbria
Electricity North West
Lancashire
Electricity North West
South Yorkshire
Northern Powergrid
Greater Manchester
Electricity North West
Other counties served by Northern Powergrid
Same operator, same emergency number, similar restoration patterns and compensation framework.