Power Cut Edinburgh: How to Check, Cope, and Prepare
A power cut Edinburgh can throw off your whole day, whether you’re working from home, cooking dinner, or just trying to keep the heating on. Outages don’t happen often, but when they do, it helps to understand what’s behind them and where to look for real-time updates. This guide walks you through the most common causes, how to check the status of an outage, and what you can do to stay safe and prepared.
What Causes Power Cuts in Edinburgh?
When you get caught in an Edinburgh power cut, it usually comes down to a few familiar causes.
The local electricity network in the city is run by SP Energy Networks (SPEN), the distribution network operator (DNO) for central and southern Scotland, including Edinburgh. They own and maintain the cables, substations and overhead lines that actually deliver power to your home.
Below are the main reasons power goes out:
Severe weather
Storms are the biggest troublemakers. Strong winds, heavy rain, flooding and lightning can damage lines or equipment. Winter storms often bring a cluster of faults at once, which is why cut numbers rise during rough weather.
Recent storms in Scotland (for example Storm Eowyn) left tens of thousands of homes without power and triggered compensation payments for long outages.
Faults in cables and substations
Underground cables age. Substations sometimes fail. A fuse can blow or a part can overheat. These faults tend to affect a few streets at most and are usually fixed quickly once engineers can reach the site.
The Edinburgh Fringe power cut is a good example of how a single cable fault can affect a busy part of the city. During the Festival in August 2024, several central venues in areas like EH1 and EH8 lost power after a fault on the network. Some shows even spilled out onto the streets while engineers worked on the issue.
Planned maintenance and upgrades
Sometimes the power is switched off on purpose so engineers can carry out upgrades or safety work. These cuts are normally announced ahead of time by letter, text or email. They also show up on SP Energy Networks’ planned outage lists and maps.
Accidental damage
Roadworks, digging, construction, or even a vehicle striking roadside equipment can break a cable. These faults are unplanned but often quick to identify.
How Long Will a Power Cut Last in Edinburgh
The length of a power cut in Edinburgh depends on what caused it. Most cuts are short, but weather and access can stretch things out.
Local faults affecting a small area
When a cable, fuse or substation fault affects a handful of streets, SP Energy Networks will normally get people back within a few hours, once engineers have found and isolated the fault.
A good recent example is the October 2025 outage reported by Deadline News. Over 1,800 homes across several Edinburgh postcodes, including areas like Comely Bank, Morningside, Bruntsfield, Polwarth, Blackhall and Balerno, lost power around midday.
Engineers traced it to a fault on the Scottish Power network, and power was restored to all customers within about 15–30 minutes.
Planned work
For planned maintenance, you’ll usually be told a time window (for example, a morning or afternoon) and it will also appear on SPEN’s planned power-cut list with start and estimated restoration times.
Storm-related damage
After big storms, repairs can take many hours or even more than a day if there are multiple faults, blocked roads or safety risks.
The Storm Amy in October 2025, for instance, brought days of severe winds that damaged power lines across the Highlands and central Scotland. At one point, around 1,900 homes were still without electricity three days after the storm first hit.
Although these bigger weather events are the exception rather than the rule, it still pays to be prepared.
How to Check Power Outage in Edinburgh?
When the lights go out suddenly and you’re wondering, ‘Is it just me?’ or ‘Is there a power cut in Edinburgh today?’, here’s the simplest way to find out what’s happening:
1. Rule out issues in your own home
Before you assume there’s a wider power cut in Edinburgh:
Check your fuse box (consumer unit): If a switch has tripped, reset it once. If it trips again, you likely have an internal fault.
Look outside: Are your neighbours’ lights off? Are the streetlights dark? If other homes still have power, the issue may be your meter, main fuse or internal wiring.
Check your meter or smart display: On prepayment meters, make sure you still have credit. Smart meters may show an error code.
If it looks like only your property is affected, contact your electricity supplier (the company on your bill). If the whole street is dark, move on to the network checks below.
2. Use SP Energy Networks’ outage tools
SP Energy Networks manages Edinburgh’s power network, so their updates are the most reliable.
Go to SP Energy Networks’ “Power Cut in Your Area” page.
Enter your full or partial postcode.
You’ll see:
Whether there’s a known power cut in your area
If it’s planned or unplanned
An estimated time for getting the power back on
SPEN also offers:
A live map showing all current outages in their area
A list view with start times and estimated restoration times for each incident
3. Call 105 or SP Energy Networks directly
If you can’t get online, the information looks unclear, or you need to report a power cut that isn’t showing up:
Dial 105 (free from any phone): This is the UK-wide power cut helpline. It’s available 24/7 and connects you straight to your local network operator based on your location.
Call SP Energy Networks’ emergency number: For central and southern Scotland, the emergency electricity number is 0800 092 9290. Use this if you see anything dangerous (sparks, smoke, or a loud buzzing from network equipment).
If you see damaged or fallen lines: Stay well clear and keep others away. Call 999 as well as SP Energy Networks. This is classed as an emergency.
What to Do During a Power Cut?
When the power goes out in Edinburgh, it can feel disruptive, but you can stay in control with a few simple steps. Focus on safety first, then keep your home comfortable while you wait for updates.
1. Keep yourself safe
If you spot fallen power lines or a damaged cabinet, stay well back and warn others.
Use torches or battery lanterns instead of candles when you can. They’re safer and give steadier light.
If the streets are dark, take extra care walking around, as crossings and streetlights may be out.
2. Switch off appliances that could cause trouble
Turn off and unplug hot or high-powered appliances like ovens, hobs, irons, electric heaters and hair straighteners.
Unplug sensitive kit such as TVs, consoles and computers to protect them from a surge when power returns.
Leave one light on so you’ll know the moment power returns.
3. Stay warm and check on others
Pop on a jumper, warm socks and an extra layer. Close curtains and keep doors to unused rooms shut to hold in heat.
Check in on neighbours who might find an outage difficult, such as older people or families with young children.
4. Keep food safe
Keep fridge and freezer doors shut as much as possible. A fridge will usually stay cold for around four hours if you don’t keep opening it. A full freezer can often keep food frozen for up to two days; a half-full one for about a day.
Eat chilled food first if you need to. Tinned and dry goods can wait.
5. Get updates without draining your phone battery
Use SP Energy Networks’ online power cut tools or call 105 for quick information about the outage.
If you have a battery or wind-up radio, use it for local news.
Lower your phone’s screen brightness and close unused apps so it lasts as long as possible.
How to Prepare for Future Outages in Edinburgh?
Power cuts here are usually short, but planning ahead makes even a longer outage easier to handle. Here’s how to get prepared:
1. Create a simple power-cut kit
A small kit makes a big difference. Keep it in one place so you can grab it in the dark.
Include:
A torch or head torch
Spare batteries or a wind-up lantern
A warm blanket or two
A fully charged power bank
A battery or wind-up radio
A written list of key numbers (105, your energy supplier, GP, close family)
First-aid essentials and any regular medication you need
2. Keep a little food and water aside
You don’t need a huge stash, just a few things that don’t rely on power.
Good options include:
Tinned soup, beans, vegetables or fish
Crackers, cereal or oatcakes
Long-life milk
A manual tin opener
Any special items needed for babies, older adults or pets
A few bottles of water are handy if you live on an upper floor or rely on an electric pump.
3. Plan ahead if you have medical or care needs
If you or someone in your home uses powered medical equipment:
Write down what you use and how long batteries last.
Ask your care team what to do if the power goes off.
Keep backup batteries charged and ready.
Share your plan with family or carers so you’re not managing alone.
4. Invest in backup power for your home
If you want lights, Wi-Fi, your fridge, PC, or medical equipment to keep running during an outage, a home backup power setup is worth thinking about. You don’t need a loud petrol generator to do this. Modern portable power stations are much easier to manage and far more practical in a normal home.
A portable power station is basically a big rechargeable battery with built-in sockets and an inverter. You charge it from the mains, solar panels or your car. When the power cuts out, you switch it on and plug in whatever you need.
When the power drops, you simply wheel it out, power your essentials and get on with your day. When things are normal again, you can pair it with solar panels and use it as a solar generator, handy for reducing energy costs or for camping and outdoor trips.
If you want one reliable unit that can handle most situations, the EcoFlow DELTA Pro 3 Portable Power Station is designed for whole-home backup in a compact, roll-out design.
How it helps during a power cut in Edinburgh
Keeps major appliances running: With 4,000W of steady power, you can run a fridge-freezer, lighting, broadband gear, phone chargers and a couple of other essentials. Short bursts up to 6,000W cover things like kettles or washing machines as they start up.
Supports long outages, not just short ones: A 4 kWh battery gives you many hours of low-to-medium use. You can keep your Wi-Fi, lights and fridge going for an evening or longer if you manage your load wisely.
Ready for solar now or later: High solar input means you can recharge quickly during the day, stretch your power over repeated cuts or keep going through multi-day disruptions.
Quiet and easy to use indoors: Because it runs at around 30 dB, you can keep it inside without disturbing the whole house.
The DELTA Pro 3 works well as a portable, standalone unit. If you want a more integrated setup, you can pair it with a Manual Transfer Switch, so it supports key home circuits seamlessly when the grid goes down.
If you want more freedom during longer outages, the EcoFlow DELTA Pro 3 + Smart Extra Battery doubles your stored energy while keeping everything simple to use.
This bundle gives you:
About 8.1 kWh of total storage
The same strong 4,000W/6,000W output
Long runtimes for fridges, lighting, Wi-Fi and essential devices, often several evenings instead of one
It’s a solid choice if you work from home, have children, or rely on equipment that needs steady, uninterrupted power.
5. Consider joining the Priority Services Register
The Priority Services Register (PSR) offers extra help for people who may struggle during outages, such as those with medical conditions, mobility issues or young children. Once registered, you can get updates tailored to your needs and additional support during longer cuts.
Conclusion
A power cut Edinburgh doesn’t have to throw your day off. Once you know what usually causes outages, how to check live updates, and how long cuts tend to last, you’re far better prepared. Simple habits, like keeping a small kit ready, planning for medical needs, and considering a backup power source, make a big difference during longer disruptions. With the right steps in place, you can stay comfortable, safe and informed no matter when the lights go out.
FAQs
Who do I call to report a power outage in Edinburgh?
If your power goes off in Edinburgh and it’s clearly not just your home, call 105. This free, 24/7 national number puts you straight through to your local electricity network operator—SP Energy Networks for the Edinburgh area.
They can record the outage, give you real-time updates, and offer safety guidance. You can also use their dedicated emergency line for central and southern Scotland on 0800 092 9290 if needed. If there’s any immediate danger to life or property, such as fallen or exposed cables, always contact 999 first.
Can I claim for spoiled food after a power cut?
You don’t usually get compensation specifically for spoiled food, but you might be entitled to a fixed amount of payment if the power cut meets Ofgem’s guaranteed standards on length and severity (for example, over 12–24 hours depending on how many properties are affected, or during severe storms).
Payments (typically £85-£95) are normally made by your electricity network operator and cover the inconvenience of the outage rather than the value of food lost. Citizens Advice suggests contacting your network operator to check eligibility, and you can also ask your home insurer about any cover.
What should I put in a power cut emergency kit?
A good power cut kit for your Edinburgh home should be easy to grab and kept in one place. Include a battery or wind-up torch (rather than candles), spare batteries, and a charged power bank for your phone.
Add a battery or wind-up radio, any essential medications, basic first aid items, and a paper list of important contact numbers. It’s also sensible to pack some ready-to-eat food, bottled water, warm clothing or blankets, and any baby or pet supplies you rely on.
For longer outages, a compact portable power station can help keep phones, small devices, the fridge, or vital medical equipment running. Check and refresh your kit regularly.