Northern Ireland power cuts: NIE Networks and what to do

Last reviewed: 24 Oct 2026

Follow your local authorities. In an emergency call 999/911.

What El Niño changes here

Probably little that anyone can measure. The Met Office says El Niño raises the chance of a wetter, stormier early winter for the UK and of a cold snap later (Met Office, 21 Aug 2026; 22 Sep 2026). It gives no figure for Northern Ireland and our confidence is low. Storms and cold are common causes of power cuts, so the preparation below is worth doing in any winter.

The number to save

Report a power cut to NIE Networks on 03457 643 643 and save it in your phone now (NIE Networks). Elsewhere in the UK people are told to ring 105; we found no NIE page that mentions 105, so use the NIE number.

The three things that matter

1. Staying warm and fed. Use layers and blankets, close curtains and doors to keep heat in, and use battery or wind-up torches rather than candles (Red Cross). Keep fridge and freezer doors shut; the Red Cross page gives 4 hours as the point to check chilled food.
2. Carbon monoxide. Never use a generator, barbecue, camping stove or portable heater indoors, in a garage or tent or in any enclosed space; site a generator outdoors with plenty of airflow (nidirect). Fit an audible alarm that meets EN 50291 (BS Kitemark), from £20 per alarm, one per room with a fuel-burning appliance plus one near bedrooms, and have gas appliances checked by a Gas Safe registered engineer.
3. Fallen lines. Never touch damaged electricity equipment or fallen power lines. Report them to NIE Networks on 03457 643 643, and call 999 if there is a significant risk (NIE Networks).

What to do, and when (counted from today)

• Within 2 weeks: save the NIE number; get torches and spare batteries (two torches and a power bank, about £15-£50); fit CO alarms; join the registers below.
• Within a month: blankets and warm layers for four (about £10-£40); essential medication and backup power for medical devices in your kit.

Kit for a family of four

• Two torches plus spare batteries and one power bank; know where your fuse box is (NIE Networks). About £15-£50 (indicative).
• Blankets and warm layers for four.
• Essential medication: no official quantity is given, so ask your GP or pharmacist (nidirect). Free to £30 (indicative).

Registers and health needs

• Join the NIE Networks Customer Care Register if you rely on electricity for health needs. Free (NIE Networks).
• Join the NI Water customer care register if you depend on the water supply for care. Free (nidirect).
• If you keep medicines in a fridge, for example insulin, ask your GP or pharmacist now what to do in a power cut, and keep the fridge shut (Red Cross).

Not covered yet

Insurance and local council contacts for Northern Ireland are not on this page because we have not yet hand-checked those rows. See nidirect emergencies and the UK hub.