Compensation for energy supply issues

Check if you are entitled to compensation

Network companies are responsible for maintaining supply on the grid and fixing power cuts.

You may be entitled to compensation if your electricity or gas supply goes off. The amount you could get depends on whether the cut was planned, how long it lasted, or if it was the network company’s fault.

The Powercut 105 website has advice on what to do in a power cut.

If you get cut off because of a faulty energy meter or if you run out of prepayment meter credit, contact your energy supplier.

Compensation for power cuts in normal weather

If your power is cut off, your local network company has either 12 or 24 hours to restore supplies. How long that takes depends on how many homes are affected by a single fault.

Power cut to less than 5,000 premises

If your home is without power for more than 12 hours you can get £95.

Businesses that are on a non-domestic energy contract  can get  £180. If you are not sure what type of energy contract you have for your business read the Get energy for your business guide.

Homes and businesses can get a further £40 for each additional 12 hours of being off supply

Power cut to more than 5,000 premises

If your home is without power for more than 24 hours you can get £95. Businesses that are non-domestic customers can get £180.

Homes and businesses can get an extra £40 for each additional 12 hours of being without electricity, up to a total of £360.

More than four power cuts in a year

If your home or business is cut off more than four times in a year for at least three hours each time, you can get an extra £95.

The year runs from 1 April to 31 March.

Compensation for power cuts in severe weather

The amount of compensation you could get depends on the category of the severe weather, and how long you were without a power supply.

There are two storm categories. They are based on the impact the storm has on the electricity network, such as damage to pylons and overhead cables.

The categories are different to the storm categories issued by the Met Office.

Storm category 1

You can get £85 if your power has been cut off for 24 hours.

You will get an extra £40 for every 6 hours afterwards. The maximum amount you can claim is £2,000.

Storm category 2

You can get £85 if your power has been cut off for 48 hours.

You will get an extra £40 for every 6 hours afterwards. The maximum amount you can claim is £2,000.

Compensation if your gas supply goes off

If you have been given less than 7 days’ notice from your network operator about your gas supply going off at your home you can get £50. Businesses can get £120.

If your gas supply goes off at your home and is not planned, you can claim £70, for every 24 hours the gas is off. Businesses can get £120.

You can get more if your gas is off for more than 24 hours. The amount increases depending on how long your gas supply is off.

If your household is registered with your network’s Priority Services Register, you can get extra support if your gas supply goes off. You are entitled to extra compensation if your network supplier does not provide you with extra services.

How to get compensation

Your network operator will arrange for you to get any compensation payments you are entitled to. Payments are usually automatically,  but if you think you are eligible for compensation you can also contact your network operator. Find your network operator on the Energy Networks Association website.

Our role

We want supplies restored quickly if problems occur. 

We monitor how well network companies do this and how well-prepared they are to deal with impacts on the network. 

We take action if we think companies are not meeting their obligations to customers.