105
Free national fault line
Free, 24/7
UK Power Networks
Your DNO
serves Kent
21+
towns covered
incl. Maidstone, Canterbury, Tunbridge Wells
up to £150+
Ofgem compensation
for cuts over 24h
Live outage map for Kent
The map shows incidents reported by users in real time, centred on Kent. 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.
North Downs chalk, the Weald clay vale in the middle, and Romney Marsh on the south coast. Channel storms hit the cliffs at Dover and Folkestone; Romney Marsh sees coastal flooding that compromises low-lying substations every few years.
Live Power Outages in the UK
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Report a power cut in Kent
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 Kent know what's going on.
Thank you. Your report has been submitted and will help others in Kent.
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 Kent
Pick your town for local outage reports, the live map and your network operator's fault line.
Why the power goes out in Kent
Kent is the south-eastern edge of UKPN's licence area, from Dartford in the west to Dover and Margate in the east — a county of commuter towns, Channel ports and rural Weald. North Downs chalk, the Weald clay vale in the middle, and Romney Marsh on the south coast.
Weather and terrain. Channel storms hit the cliffs at Dover and Folkestone; Romney Marsh sees coastal flooding that compromises low-lying substations every few years.
How the network is run. UKPN's depots at Maidstone, Canterbury and Dover serve the county. The Channel Tunnel terminal at Folkestone and the Port of Dover both have dedicated industrial supply.
A local quirk worth knowing. Romney Marsh substations sit several feet below mean sea level — UKPN's flood-resilience programme since 2015 has raised every primary substation onto plinths or relocated inland.
What to do when the power goes out at home in Kent
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 Kent
Always to your Distribution Network Operator, not your supplier. In Kent 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 Dover and Folkestone; Romney Marsh sees coastal flooding that compromises low-lying substations every few years. UKPN's depots at Maidstone, Canterbury and Dover serve the county. The Channel Tunnel terminal at Folkestone and the Port of Dover both have dedicated industrial supply.
Yes. Under Ofgem's Guaranteed Standards of Performance, domestic customers in Kent 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 Kent — useful if your storm or fault crosses council boundaries.
Essex
UK Power Networks
East Sussex
UK Power Networks
City of London
UK Power Networks
Greater London
UK Power Networks
Suffolk
UK Power Networks
Hertfordshire
UK Power Networks
Surrey
SSEN
Cambridgeshire
UK Power Networks
Other counties served by UK Power Networks
Same operator, same emergency number, similar restoration patterns and compensation framework.