Guides › Energy and Water Bills › Power Cut Compensation
Power Cut Compensation
If your electricity is off for more than 12 hours (or 24 hours when over 5,000 properties are affected), your local network operator should pay you £100 as a household, plus £45 for every further 12 hours. Storm rules differ. Most payments are automatic.
At a Glance
Your Rights
What the rules say, with a link to the official source for each.
Power Cut Payments
Unplanned Cuts
You can get £100 for homes (£195 for businesses) if fewer than 5,000 properties are affected for more than 12 hours, or more than 5,000 for more than 24 hours, plus £45 for every further 12 hours. The maximum is £400 where 5,000 or more are affected. Payments are usually automatic from your local network operator; contact it if nothing arrives after a few months. source
Storms and Repeat Cuts
In severe weather: category 1 storms £90 for the first 24 hours, category 2 £90 for the first 48 hours, then £45 every 6 hours, up to £2,235. An extra £100 for more than 4 cuts in a year must be claimed from the network operator. source
Time Limits to Know
Miss a deadline and you can lose a right. Check the dates on your own paperwork.
- 12 hoursWithout power before £100 is due24 hours if over 5,000 properties are affected
Steps to Take
Step 1 of 5
Note when the power went off and came back.
Step 2 of 5
Report the cut to your network operator (call 105).
Step 3 of 5
Wait for the automatic payment.
Step 4 of 5
If it does not arrive after a few months, contact the network operator.
Step 5 of 5
If you have had more than 4 cuts in a year, claim the extra payment.
(Tap the numbers to reveal steps)
Where to Go If It Is Not Put Right
Your options, in order, and when each one applies.
Your Local Network Operator
Pays power cut compensation. Call 105 to report a cut.
Energy Ombudsman
After 8 weeks with no resolution, or when you get a deadlock letter.
Good to Know
Small things that make your complaint stronger.
Join the Priority Services Register for advance warning of planned cuts.
Want Help?
If you would like one of our team to look at your problem, our initial case review is free. We cannot guarantee any outcome and we do not give legal advice.
Lead reviewer
Luke Marley
Founder and Lead Reviewer
Luke founded CPUK in 2026 after seeing how hard it is for ordinary people to get problems with companies put right. He oversees our guides and checks them against official sources.
Research by Katie Burt, Co-founder and Operations Lead (17 years in the care sector, including managing services for vulnerable adults), and the CPUK Research Team. Researched with AI-assisted research tools, then checked and corrected by our team.
Last checked: 13 October 2026. We are not paid by the companies we write about. Adverts never affect our guidance. Read our editorial policy.
Sources and official links
- ofgem.gov.uk/your-energy-supply/problems-your-energy-supply/check-if-you-can-get-payment-power-cut Checked 13 October 2026
- energyombudsman.org/advice-for-consumers/what-is-back-billing Checked 12 October 2026