105

Free national fault line

Free, 24/7

UK Power Networks

Your DNO

serves East Sussex

8+

towns covered

incl. Brighton, Hove, Eastbourne

up to £150+

Ofgem compensation

for cuts over 24h

Live outage map for East Sussex

The map shows incidents reported by users in real time, centred on East Sussex. 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.

South Downs chalk escarpment, the High Weald (Wealden hills), and a heavily populated coastal strip. Channel storms hit the cliffs at Beachy Head and Hastings; the Weald sees lightning strikes in summer and freezing rain in winter.

Live Power Outages in the UK

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Source: user reports · Selectra

Report a power cut in East Sussex

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 East Sussex know what's going on.

Thank you. Your report has been submitted and will help others in East Sussex.

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 East Sussex

Pick your town for local outage reports, the live map and your network operator's fault line.

Why the power goes out in East Sussex

East Sussex spans the Brighton and Hove conurbation, the Sussex Downs and the coastal towns from Eastbourne to Hastings, inside UKPN's South East licence area. South Downs chalk escarpment, the High Weald (Wealden hills), and a heavily populated coastal strip.

Weather and terrain. Channel storms hit the cliffs at Beachy Head and Hastings; the Weald sees lightning strikes in summer and freezing rain in winter.

How the network is run. UKPN's depots at Brighton, Eastbourne and Hastings serve the county. The Brighton seafront and Lewes underground networks are some of the densest in the South East.

A local quirk worth knowing. The Brighton Pavilion area's Victorian cabling has been progressively replaced since 2015; a few legacy joints still produce occasional pop-and-trip incidents in summer heat.

East Sussex is served by UK Power Networks. All network faults — whoever supplies your electricity (Octopus, British Gas, EDF, OVO, E.ON Next…) — are reported on 105. Your supplier handles the bill but cannot dispatch an engineer.

What to do when the power goes out at home in East Sussex

1

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.

2

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.

3

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.

4

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 East Sussex

Always to your Distribution Network Operator, not your supplier. In East Sussex 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.

Channel storms hit the cliffs at Beachy Head and Hastings; the Weald sees lightning strikes in summer and freezing rain in winter. UKPN's depots at Brighton, Eastbourne and Hastings serve the county. The Brighton seafront and Lewes underground networks are some of the densest in the South East.

Yes. Under Ofgem's Guaranteed Standards of Performance, domestic customers in East Sussex 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).