Loss Of Power
Severe Weather
The snow and cold weather can cause issue with electricity supplies. Please see information below for 105 service where you can report or get information about power cuts in your local area.
Please also call 105 if you spot damage to electricity power lines and substations that could put you or someone else in danger. If there is a serious or immediate risk to life, please also call 999.
It is advised for you to call your electricity supplier for any other issues such as metering or boiler problems.
For more general advice and help during severe weather, please see our severe weather page.
Power cuts
UK Power Networks is the electrical distribution company that covers the South East and although power cuts do not happen very often, it is their job to ensure it stays that way.
If there was a power cut, would you know who to contact?
Power cut? Call 105
Many people don't know who to contact during a power cut, with many wrongly thinking they should call the electricity supplier they pay their bill to.
105 aims to solve this problem, providing you with an easy to remember number that will put you through to your local electricity network operator.
You can call 105 with any welfare concerns related to a power cut if you are worried about the safety of over or underground electricity cables and substations.
The service is free of charge, operates 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. You call call from most landlines and mobile phones.
105 is just one of the ways you can contact the network operator. They can still be contacted directly by phone on their 0800 number or via their websites.
To find out more information, please visit www.powercut105.com
Preparing for a power cut
At UK Power Networks, they know that severe weather can strike quickly and cause major disruption to our homes, families and communities, particularly when it causes a power cut but with a few simple steps, it's easy to prepare for the majority of winter emergencies.
- Put together an emergency pack which should include:
- List of emergency contact numbers
- Analogue phone or portable mobile phone charger
- Battery operated or wind up torch or radio
- Spare batteries if needed
- Essential medication
- Three days' supply of bottled water and ready to eat food that won't spoil
- Winter clothes and spare blankets
- Regularly check weather forecasts
- Plan for alternative ways to keep warm if your heating is disrupted
What can UK Power Networks do?
They can't get your power back on more quickly but they can:
- Call you pro-actively if we expect bad weather in your area that could result in a power cut and offer useful advice on how to prepare
- Offer you a special priority phone number that you can call if you have a power cut
- Keep you updated during a power cut, either by sending you text messages or calling you
- With your agreement, we can ask the British Red Cross to visit your home for extra help and support
Extra support service
If you or someone you know needs extra support during a power cut, then you may want to sign up for the priority service register. This is a free service offered to the following customers:
- Customers who are dependent on medical equipment
- Customers who are chronically sick
- Customers with a disability
- Customers who are blind, visually impaired or deaf
- Customers with young babies
- Nursing or Residential homes
- Elderly customers
Other cases will be considered too so please get in touch with UK Power Networks directly to enquire.
How to apply
If you or someone you know meets the above criteria then please apply by either:
- Calling on 0800 31 63 105 (from a landline) or 0333 32 32 105 (from a mobile)
- Email psr@ukpowernetworks.co.uk
- Write to Priority Service, UK Power Networks, Fore Hamlet, Ipswich, IP3 8AA
- Apply online on the UK Power Networks website
Advice and alerts
For further services provided, or to download more helpful advice during a power cut, please read UK Power Networks' advice to help you during a power cut.
Use UK Power Networks' interactive map, which also helps to let you find power cut contact details quickly when needed.
You can contact UK Power Networks 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
To receive updates on a power cut you can text POWER and your postcode to 80876.
UK Power Networks can also offer advice on helping you to stay warm and save energy. To get further advice, please read UK Power Networks' top energy saving tips.
Contact us
If you have any queries or require further information on this webpage, please contact Emergency Planning via 01233 331111 or email emergency.planning@ashford.gov.uk
