105
Free national fault line
Free, 24/7
SSEN
Your DNO
serves Oxfordshire
12+
towns covered
incl. Oxford, Banbury, Witney
up to £150+
Ofgem compensation
for cuts over 24h
Live outage map for Oxfordshire
The map shows incidents reported by users in real time, centred on Oxfordshire. 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.
Thames valley running through Oxford itself, Cotswold limestone hills in the west, and the Chilterns in the south east. Thames flooding (Oxford 2007, 2014) submerges riverside substations at Osney and Botley; Cotswold ridge winds bring overhead lines down around Chipping Norton.
Live Power Outages in the UK
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Report a power cut in Oxfordshire
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 Oxfordshire know what's going on.
Thank you. Your report has been submitted and will help others in Oxfordshire.
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 Oxfordshire
Pick your town for local outage reports, the live map and your network operator's fault line.
Why the power goes out in Oxfordshire
Oxfordshire sits in the centre of SSEN's Southern licence area, from the Thames at Henley up to the Cotswolds at Chipping Norton and east to Bicester. Thames valley running through Oxford itself, Cotswold limestone hills in the west, and the Chilterns in the south east.
Weather and terrain. Thames flooding (Oxford 2007, 2014) submerges riverside substations at Osney and Botley; Cotswold ridge winds bring overhead lines down around Chipping Norton.
How the network is run. SSEN depots at Cowley (Oxford) and Banbury dispatch engineers. The MINI Plant Oxford at Cowley and Culham Science Centre near Abingdon both have dedicated industrial supply.
A local quirk worth knowing. Oxford's college networks (each college has its own grid connection) feed back into the public network during outages — a few colleges run multi-day diesel backup during major storms.
What to do when the power goes out at home in Oxfordshire
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 072 7282
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 Oxfordshire
Always to your Distribution Network Operator, not your supplier. In Oxfordshire that is SSEN. Dial 105 (Free national fault line) — free, 24/7 — or call SSEN directly on 0800 072 7282.
Thames flooding (Oxford 2007, 2014) submerges riverside substations at Osney and Botley; Cotswold ridge winds bring overhead lines down around Chipping Norton. SSEN depots at Cowley (Oxford) and Banbury dispatch engineers. The MINI Plant Oxford at Cowley and Culham Science Centre near Abingdon both have dedicated industrial supply.
Yes. Under Ofgem's Guaranteed Standards of Performance, domestic customers in Oxfordshire 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 Oxfordshire — useful if your storm or fault crosses council boundaries.
Berkshire
SSEN
Buckinghamshire
SSEN
Warwickshire
National Grid Electricity Distribution
Northamptonshire
National Grid Electricity Distribution
Hampshire
SSEN
Wiltshire
National Grid Electricity Distribution
Bedfordshire
UK Power Networks
Gloucestershire
National Grid Electricity Distribution
Other counties served by SSEN
Same operator, same emergency number, similar restoration patterns and compensation framework.