105
Free national fault line
Free, 24/7
National Grid Electricity Distribution
Your DNO
serves West Midlands
17+
towns covered
incl. Birmingham, Coventry, Wolverhampton
up to £150+
Ofgem compensation
for cuts over 24h
Live outage map for West Midlands
The map shows incidents reported by users in real time, centred on West Midlands. 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 National Grid Electricity Distribution job.
Urbanised Birmingham plateau, the Black Country (Dudley, Sandwell, Wolverhampton) and the Coventry-Solihull corridor. Inland conurbation is relatively sheltered from coastal storms; convective summer thunderstorms hit Birmingham regularly. Heavy snow events (March 2018, January 2025) cause localised tripping.
Live Power Outages in the UK
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Report a power cut in West Midlands
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 West Midlands know what's going on.
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Power cuts by town in West Midlands
Pick your town for local outage reports, the live map and your network operator's fault line.
Why the power goes out in West Midlands
The West Midlands metropolitan county covers Birmingham, Coventry, Wolverhampton and the Black Country — the second-largest urban network in England, served by NGED's Midlands licence. Urbanised Birmingham plateau, the Black Country (Dudley, Sandwell, Wolverhampton) and the Coventry-Solihull corridor.
Weather and terrain. Inland conurbation is relatively sheltered from coastal storms; convective summer thunderstorms hit Birmingham regularly. Heavy snow events (March 2018, January 2025) cause localised tripping.
How the network is run. NGED operates from Tipton, Birmingham, Coventry and Wolverhampton depots. JLR's Solihull and Castle Bromwich plants have dedicated industrial supply.
A local quirk worth knowing. Birmingham city centre's heavily-rebuilt network (1990s onwards) makes it one of the most reliable urban grids in the UK — fault frequencies per customer are below the national average.
What to do when the power goes out at home in West Midlands
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 National Grid Electricity Distribution network fault: call 105.
Dial 105 or 0800 6783 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 National Grid Electricity Distribution 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 West Midlands
Always to your Distribution Network Operator, not your supplier. In West Midlands that is National Grid Electricity Distribution. Dial 105 (Free national fault line) — free, 24/7 — or call National Grid Electricity Distribution directly on 0800 6783 105.
Inland conurbation is relatively sheltered from coastal storms; convective summer thunderstorms hit Birmingham regularly. Heavy snow events (March 2018, January 2025) cause localised tripping. NGED operates from Tipton, Birmingham, Coventry and Wolverhampton depots. JLR's Solihull and Castle Bromwich plants have dedicated industrial supply.
Yes. Under Ofgem's Guaranteed Standards of Performance, domestic customers in West Midlands 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 National Grid Electricity Distribution within 10 working days — claim within 30 days if it doesn't arrive.
National Grid Electricity Distribution 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 West Midlands — useful if your storm or fault crosses council boundaries.
Staffordshire
National Grid Electricity Distribution
Worcestershire
National Grid Electricity Distribution
Warwickshire
National Grid Electricity Distribution
Gloucestershire
National Grid Electricity Distribution
Derbyshire
National Grid Electricity Distribution
Leicestershire
National Grid Electricity Distribution
Shropshire
National Grid Electricity Distribution
Herefordshire
National Grid Electricity Distribution
Other counties served by National Grid Electricity Distribution
Same operator, same emergency number, similar restoration patterns and compensation framework.