105
Free national fault line
Free, 24/7
UK Power Networks
Your DNO
serves Hertfordshire
17+
towns covered
incl. Watford, St Albans, Hemel Hempstead
up to £150+
Ofgem compensation
for cuts over 24h
Live outage map for Hertfordshire
The map shows incidents reported by users in real time, centred on Hertfordshire. 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.
Chiltern foothills in the west, the Lea valley in the east, and rolling chalk farmland in between. Summer thunderstorms bring localised flooding to substations in St Albans and Hatfield; freezing rain on the Chiltern edge brings down overhead lines around Tring.
Live Power Outages in the UK
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Report a power cut in Hertfordshire
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 Hertfordshire know what's going on.
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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 Hertfordshire
Pick your town for local outage reports, the live map and your network operator's fault line.
Why the power goes out in Hertfordshire
Hertfordshire ring the northern edge of Greater London and is served entirely by UK Power Networks. The county has a dense commuter belt and several large data-centre clusters. Chiltern foothills in the west, the Lea valley in the east, and rolling chalk farmland in between.
Weather and terrain. Summer thunderstorms bring localised flooding to substations in St Albans and Hatfield; freezing rain on the Chiltern edge brings down overhead lines around Tring.
How the network is run. UKPN's Hertford and Watford depots cover the county. The data-centre cluster around Hemel Hempstead and Borehamwood drives major feeder reinforcement works.
A local quirk worth knowing. Hemel Hempstead's Buncefield depot fire in 2005 damaged the Maylands industrial area substations — the lessons learned still shape feeder layout and fire-zoning across the South East.
What to do when the power goes out at home in Hertfordshire
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 Hertfordshire
Always to your Distribution Network Operator, not your supplier. In Hertfordshire 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.
Summer thunderstorms bring localised flooding to substations in St Albans and Hatfield; freezing rain on the Chiltern edge brings down overhead lines around Tring. UKPN's Hertford and Watford depots cover the county. The data-centre cluster around Hemel Hempstead and Borehamwood drives major feeder reinforcement works.
Yes. Under Ofgem's Guaranteed Standards of Performance, domestic customers in Hertfordshire 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 Hertfordshire — useful if your storm or fault crosses council boundaries.
Greater London
UK Power Networks
City of London
UK Power Networks
Bedfordshire
UK Power Networks
Surrey
SSEN
Buckinghamshire
SSEN
Cambridgeshire
UK Power Networks
Northamptonshire
National Grid Electricity Distribution
Berkshire
SSEN
Other counties served by UK Power Networks
Same operator, same emergency number, similar restoration patterns and compensation framework.