Power cuts are an unavoidable reality for many businesses. Severe weather, local network faults and planned maintenance can all interrupt supply — sometimes with little warning. While you can’t prevent every outage, how well your business prepares and responds can significantly reduce disruption, risk and downtime.
This guide focuses on practical actions, before and during a power cut, to help you protect people, equipment and operations.
Before thinking about generators or UPS systems, it’s important to understand your exposure:
Can your business tolerate being without power for minutes, hours or days?
Are staff, customers or vulnerable individuals affected by outages?
Could data, equipment or safety systems be compromised?
The answers determine how much preparation is appropriate — and whether longer-term solutions should be considered.
Preparation doesn’t need to be complex, but it does need to be deliberate. Many issues during outages occur because simple steps weren’t taken in advance.
Battery-powered torches available and regularly checked
Surge protection for IT and sensitive electronics
Regular data backups, ideally cloud-based
Key contact numbers kept near electricity meters and control panels
Do you have any systems that must remain powered (e.g. security, refrigeration, medical or safety equipment)?
Are staff trained to respond if lighting, lifts or access systems fail?
Do you rely on powered security systems that may need backup?
Are there safe evacuation procedures for disabled or vulnerable staff?
For larger sites, rehearsing an outage scenario can be as valuable as rehearsing a fire drill.
When power is lost, the first priority is to establish the scope of the problem.
Has a trip switch or breaker operated?
Has equipment caused a local fault?
Do you need a qualified electrician to investigate?
Locate your electricity meter(s)
Contact your Distribution Network Operator (DNO)
Report the outage on 105 or 0800 6783 105
This ensures the issue is logged and helps you understand expected restoration times.
Once an outage is confirmed, focus on protecting people, systems and operations.
Shut down non-essential equipment
Avoid uncontrolled restarts when power returns
Isolate equipment that could cause power surges
Monitor battery life on laptops, tablets and phones
Communicate clearly with staff
Consider heating, water and food availability
Inform customers or suppliers if disruption is likely
Identify staff who may need support or alternative arrangements
If you operate an emergency generator, confirm fuel levels early rather than waiting until supplies are low.
If power cuts are frequent or high-impact, preparation alone may not be enough.
You may need to consider:
A UPS for protecting IT and sensitive systems
A generator for extended outages
Clear escalation plans for longer disruptions
Formal IT disaster recovery and data protection strategies
Understanding how long your business can realistically operate without power is a critical planning exercise.
If outages consistently disrupt operations, it may be time to move beyond reactive measures and invest in resilience.
At Rehlko, businesses are supported with:
Assessing outage risk and tolerance
Designing generator and UPS strategies
Installing, maintaining and servicing backup power systems
Long-term planning for operational continuity
The goal is not to eliminate every risk, but to control how power loss affects your business.
If a power cut would stop your business operating safely or cost-effectively — even temporarily — now is the right time to review your preparedness and decide whether additional protection is needed.
If you’re currently in the middle of a power cut, you can use our postcode checker to find out the projected end time. Alternatively, you can report a power cut by calling 0800 6783 105. If in doubt, call 105.
Scottish and Southern Energy Power Distribution are responsible for delivering power to over 3.9 million homes and businesses across central southern England and the north of Scotland.
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SP Energy Networks manages the electricity network that powers homes and businesses throughout Central and Southern Scotland, North Wales, Merseyside, Cheshire and North Shropshire.
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Electricity North West manages the electricity network that powers the diverse communities between the beautiful Lake District landscapes to the bustling city of Manchester and all the wonderful towns and villages located in-between.
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Northern PowerGrid manages the electricity network that powers everyday life for more than 8 million people across 3.9 million homes and businesses in the North East, Yorkshire and northern Lincolnshire.
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REPORT POWER CUT NOW
National Grid Electricity Distribution (NGED) (Former Western Power Distribution)
National Grid Electricity Distribution (NGED) is the regional electricity distribution division of the National Grid. They are the operator for the Midlands, Southwest and South Wales.
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UK Power Networks
UK Power Networks maintain the electricity networks across London, the South East and East of England.
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