105
Free national fault line
Free, 24/7
SSEN
Your DNO
serves Na h-Eileanan Siar
1+
towns covered
incl. Stornoway, Tarbert, Lochmaddy
up to £150+
Ofgem compensation
for cuts over 24h
Live outage map for Na h-Eileanan Siar
The map shows incidents reported by users in real time, centred on Na h-Eileanan Siar. 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 SSEN job.
Long, linear archipelago of around 15 inhabited islands strung along 130 miles of Atlantic coast. The Atlantic westerlies hit Lewis and Harris first — Storm Eowyn (January 2025) and Storm Isha (2024) both left tens of thousands of island homes off supply.
Live Power Outages in the UK
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Report a power cut in Na h-Eileanan Siar
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Power cuts by town in Na h-Eileanan Siar
Pick your town for local outage reports, the live map and your network operator's fault line.
Why the power goes out in Na h-Eileanan Siar
The Western Isles council covers the Outer Hebrides chain from Lewis in the north to Barra in the south, all fed by SSEN via long sub-sea cables and a 132 kV island spine. Long, linear archipelago of around 15 inhabited islands strung along 130 miles of Atlantic coast.
Weather and terrain. The Atlantic westerlies hit Lewis and Harris first — Storm Eowyn (January 2025) and Storm Isha (2024) both left tens of thousands of island homes off supply.
How the network is run. SSEN depots at Stornoway, Tarbert and Lochmaddy dispatch engineers; sub-sea cable repairs involve specialist vessels from Inverness or further afield.
A local quirk worth knowing. The Western Isles spine is being progressively replaced with new sub-sea cables (project completion mid-decade) — interim outages on Barra and South Uist can be hours rather than days.
What to do when the power goes out at home in Na h-Eileanan Siar
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 SSEN network fault: call 105.
Dial 105 or 0800 300 999
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 SSEN 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 Na h-Eileanan Siar
Always to your Distribution Network Operator, not your supplier. In Na h-Eileanan Siar that is SSEN. Dial 105 (Free national fault line) — free, 24/7 — or call SSEN directly on 0800 300 999.
The Atlantic westerlies hit Lewis and Harris first — Storm Eowyn (January 2025) and Storm Isha (2024) both left tens of thousands of island homes off supply. SSEN depots at Stornoway, Tarbert and Lochmaddy dispatch engineers; sub-sea cable repairs involve specialist vessels from Inverness or further afield.
Yes. Under Ofgem's Guaranteed Standards of Performance, domestic customers in Na h-Eileanan Siar 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 SSEN within 10 working days — claim within 30 days if it doesn't arrive.
SSEN 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 Na h-Eileanan Siar — useful if your storm or fault crosses council boundaries.
Argyll and Bute
SSEN
Highland
SSEN
Inverclyde
SP Energy Networks
West Dunbartonshire
SP Energy Networks
Renfrewshire
SP Energy Networks
North Ayrshire
SP Energy Networks
East Renfrewshire
SP Energy Networks
South Ayrshire
SP Energy Networks
Other counties served by SSEN
Same operator, same emergency number, similar restoration patterns and compensation framework.