Table of Contents
Severe weather, line breaks, and planned upgrades can cause community power outages. Experiencing a power cut can be frustrating and time-consuming, disrupting your daily routine and causing you to wonder how to move forward with recourse. Understanding the process and knowing how to handle these interruptions is essential, and your electricity network operator plays a key role in addressing these outages.
Keep reading to learn how to navigate the claims process, the factors impacting compensation, and what to do if you’re affected by a power failure.
How To Check if I’m Entitled to Compensation?
Electricity network operators maintain power in your home. They maintain and repair overhead and underground wires that provide electricity to your neighbourhood. It’s different from an energy supplier, as your energy supplier is the company that generates electricity.
Your network operator should initiate contact if your electricity is cut to begin the claim process. There are many causes for a power outage, and the amount you’re compensated depends on why and how long it was cut.
How Much Compensation Will I Get for a Power Cut?
The exact amount of compensation depends on why and how long the electricity was cut. Power outages can be planned for line repairs or caused by severe storms. No matter the case, you should always be prepared for a power cut.
Compensation for Power Cuts in Normal Weather
If the electricity is cut for repairs or upgrades, the network operator should inform you two days ahead, and they should restore it within 12 to 24 hours. The exact length of the restoration depends on the number of homes affected.
Power Cut to <5,000 Homes
When less than 5,000 homes are affected for 12 hours, domestic customers can claim £95, and non-domestic customers £180. Each type of customer can claim an extra £40 for every additional 12 hours of blackout.
EcoFlow DELTA Series Portable Power Stations keep your home powered, even during an outage, so that you won’t experience disruptions. The EcoFlow Smart Home Panel makes it easy to integrate these systems into your home and control them from a smartphone. Integrating solar energy can also help lower electric bills.
Power Cut to >5,000 Homes
If more than 5,000 homes are affected by a blackout, the companies have 24 hours to restore electricity. At 24 hours, domestic customers can file for £95 and non-domestic for £180. Then, a further £40 for additional 12 hours segments.
Compensation for Power Cuts in Severe Weather
Power failures due to storms are nearly impossible to predict. The amount of compensation depends on how many homes were affected by the cut. Stay safe during severe storms by having and knowing how to use a portable generator during a power outage. Network operators are granted more time to restore power for more severe storms.
Storm Category 1
Storm severity is rated based on electrical outages in a 24-hour period, not the actual weather. For this category, eight to 12 times the daily average of outages must be reported. If the outage lasts for less than 24 hours, you can receive £80, with an additional £40 every 6 hours.
Storm Category 2
For category 2 storms, more than 12 times the daily average of outages must be reported. For power failures lasting 48 hours or less, you’ll receive £80, and for every additional 6 hours, an extra £40. For either storm category, £2000 is the max you can claim.
How Will I Get Paid if I’m Eligible for Compensation?
If you’re a prepayment customer, it’s usually credited to your energy account.
If you’re looking for ways to save on your electric bill, Octopus Energy and NPUK have developed Power-Ups, a programme that offers 1-2 hours of free electricity when wind or solar energy is flush.
EcoFlow Solar Generators effortlessly integrate solar energy into your home, allowing you to take advantage of these savings. The EcoFlow DELTA Pro + 400W Solar Panel combo can independently power anything with a 3600W AC output.
Frequently Asked Questions
Unfortunately, electrical companies and operators are not liable for any loss of fridge or freezer contents due to a power failure. The amount of compensation given should help cover some costs related to food loss. However, with a backup generator, the fridge and freezer can continue to work, so there is no worry of food loss.
Final Thoughts
Finding yourself in an electrical outage is stressful and unsettling. Understanding your rights to power cut compensation is crucial if your electricity is out. If your home faces a power failure, network operators should contact you to start the claim process.
Know that the reason for the outage and the number of homes affected impact the amount of compensation you can expect. Consider EcoFlow Portable Power Stations for reliable backup electricity. EcoFlow’s products keep your home powered and safe.
