105
Free national fault line
Free, 24/7
National Grid Electricity Distribution
Your DNO
serves Dorset
11+
towns covered
incl. Bournemouth, Poole, Dorchester
up to £150+
Ofgem compensation
for cuts over 24h
Live outage map for Dorset
The map shows incidents reported by users in real time, centred on Dorset. 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.
Chalk downs running west to east, the Purbeck Hills behind Swanage and a long heavily-indented coastline from Christchurch to Lyme Regis. Channel storms regularly hit the Isle of Portland and Weymouth; January 2024 saw severe weather declared for the Lyme Regis area after multi-day cuts.
Live Power Outages in the UK
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Report a power cut in Dorset
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 Dorset know what's going on.
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Power cuts by town in Dorset
Pick your town for local outage reports, the live map and your network operator's fault line.
Why the power goes out in Dorset
Dorset combines the dense Bournemouth-Poole-Christchurch conurbation in the east with the rural Hardy country of West Dorset and the Jurassic Coast. NGED's South West licence covers the entire county. Chalk downs running west to east, the Purbeck Hills behind Swanage and a long heavily-indented coastline from Christchurch to Lyme Regis.
Weather and terrain. Channel storms regularly hit the Isle of Portland and Weymouth; January 2024 saw severe weather declared for the Lyme Regis area after multi-day cuts.
How the network is run. NGED's Poole and Dorchester depots handle the county. The Bournemouth conurbation is heavily underground; West Dorset is largely overhead and sees more weather-related cuts.
A local quirk worth knowing. Portland's island-like position at the end of a long causeway makes its overhead feeder one of the most weather-exposed in the South West — Bowleaze and Portland Bill see repeated cuts during winter storms.
What to do when the power goes out at home in Dorset
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 Dorset
Always to your Distribution Network Operator, not your supplier. In Dorset 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.
Channel storms regularly hit the Isle of Portland and Weymouth; January 2024 saw severe weather declared for the Lyme Regis area after multi-day cuts. NGED's Poole and Dorchester depots handle the county. The Bournemouth conurbation is heavily underground; West Dorset is largely overhead and sees more weather-related cuts.
Yes. Under Ofgem's Guaranteed Standards of Performance, domestic customers in Dorset 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 Dorset — useful if your storm or fault crosses council boundaries.
Somerset
National Grid Electricity Distribution
Bristol
National Grid Electricity Distribution
Wiltshire
National Grid Electricity Distribution
Isle of Wight
SSEN
Hampshire
SSEN
Gloucestershire
National Grid Electricity Distribution
Devon
National Grid Electricity Distribution
Herefordshire
National Grid Electricity Distribution
Other counties served by National Grid Electricity Distribution
Same operator, same emergency number, similar restoration patterns and compensation framework.