New phone line launched for power cuts

A new national power cut phone number – 105 – has been launched to help people to contact their electricity company in the event of power outages.

The launch comes as figures reveal that 72 per cent of people don’t know who to contact if they have a power cut, with a further 43 per cent indicating that they would incorrectly call the electricity supplier they pay their bill to when, in fact, they should contact their local electricity network operator.

Electricity network operators are the companies that manage and maintain the power lines and substations that bring electricity into homes and businesses. Arran’s power network is operated by Scottish and Southern Energy which has joined forces with other regional networks to provide the single national number for power cut queries.

Callers dialling 105, which is free to use, will be put through to the local electricity network operator, helping avoid potential confusion or people contacting the wrong organisation.

The number, which is available to electricity customers in England, Scotland and Wales, will enable people to report or get information about power cuts as well as report damage to electricity power lines and substations that could put themselves, or someone else, in danger. 105 is funded and delivered by the electricity network operators, and is a first for the UK’s energy industry.