105
Free national fault line
Free, 24/7
SSEN
Your DNO
serves Shetland Islands
1+
towns covered
incl. Lerwick, Scalloway, Sumburgh
up to £150+
Ofgem compensation
for cuts over 24h
Live outage map for Shetland Islands
The map shows incidents reported by users in real time, centred on Shetland Islands. 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, narrow archipelago stretching 100 miles from north to south, treeless and exposed. Atlantic and North Sea storms hit Shetland directly — wind speeds over 100 mph are recorded every winter at Lerwick.
Live Power Outages in the UK
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Report a power cut in Shetland Islands
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 Shetland Islands know what's going on.
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Power cuts by town in Shetland Islands
Pick your town for local outage reports, the live map and your network operator's fault line.
Why the power goes out in Shetland Islands
Shetland is the UK's northernmost council, with around 23,000 people across an archipelago of 15 inhabited islands. SSEN runs the entire network and historically operated a standalone island grid until the new HVDC link to mainland Scotland came online. Long, narrow archipelago stretching 100 miles from north to south, treeless and exposed.
Weather and terrain. Atlantic and North Sea storms hit Shetland directly — wind speeds over 100 mph are recorded every winter at Lerwick.
How the network is run. SSEN's Lerwick depot dispatches engineers across the islands. The Shetland HVDC Link (completed 2024) connects the islands to the mainland grid for the first time and provides a backup to local Lerwick generation.
A local quirk worth knowing. Shetland was the last UK area with its own standalone grid — until 2024, the islands ran entirely on diesel and gas turbines at Lerwick Power Station, plus the Burradale wind farm.
What to do when the power goes out at home in Shetland Islands
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 Shetland Islands
Always to your Distribution Network Operator, not your supplier. In Shetland Islands that is SSEN. Dial 105 (Free national fault line) — free, 24/7 — or call SSEN directly on 0800 300 999.
Atlantic and North Sea storms hit Shetland directly — wind speeds over 100 mph are recorded every winter at Lerwick. SSEN's Lerwick depot dispatches engineers across the islands. The Shetland HVDC Link (completed 2024) connects the islands to the mainland grid for the first time and provides a backup to local Lerwick generation.
Yes. Under Ofgem's Guaranteed Standards of Performance, domestic customers in Shetland Islands 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 Shetland Islands — useful if your storm or fault crosses council boundaries.
Orkney Islands
SSEN
Aberdeenshire
SSEN
Aberdeen City
SSEN
Moray
SSEN
Angus
SSEN
Dundee City
SSEN
Highland
SSEN
Fife
SP Energy Networks
Other counties served by SSEN
Same operator, same emergency number, similar restoration patterns and compensation framework.